Trade union strike: Ruling-BJD in Odisha extends support

Bhubaneswar: The ruling-BJD and its trade union front Biju Sramika Samukhya (BSS) have pledged their support to the two-day nation-wide strike called by CITU, AITUC and others on January 8 and 9.

The representatives of CITU, AITUC and other trade unions met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Secretariat today in this regard.

The strike has been called demanding fulfilment of a 12-point charter of demands which includes inflation control, minimum monthly salary of Rs 18,000, equal pay for equal work, social security provisions, discontinuation of foreign investments in railways, banks & insurance sectors and jobs for unemployed youths among others.

"Minimum salary should be Rs 18,000 per month and monthly pension should be fixed at Rs 6,000. We also demand proper recognition for skilled workers,” State secretary of CITU, Souribandhu Kar, said.

"These are genuine demands. We had supported the protests in the past and will support the agitation this month," said Subash Singh, chairman of Workers' Welfare Board, Odisha.