Kochi: The 24-hour general strike called by a joint forum of trade unions in Kerala on Monday against the Union government allowing to end fixed-tenure employment across sectors is expected to hit normal life. The strike called by United Trade Union Forum comprising 16 unions will commence from midnight, said Anathalavattom Anandan, state president of CITU. Both Union and state government employees and the staff at banks and other financial institutions are likely to join the strike.
Public transport including taxis and auto-rickshaws are likely to keep off the road. The state-owned RTC buses may join them. Apart from CITU, the unions spearheading the strike included INTUC, AITUC, STU, HMS and UTUC. Many smaller unions also endorsed the protest call. The Centre amended the Industrial Employment (Standing Order) Central Rules 1946 with a gazette notification on March 16. “The amendment will enable employers to adopt a policy of hire and fire," said Mr Anandan.
