Unorganised sector on strike in MP

Bhopal, Aug 8 (UNI) Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) workers today staged protest and courted arrest across Madhya Pradesh as part of their one-day nationwide campaign to press for a comprehensive legislation to provide social security and statutory minimum wages to unorganised labourers.

In a statement issued by Madhya Pradesh's CITU unit, state CITU General Secretary Badal Saroj claimed that construction workers, daily wage employees and others stopped work in support of the protest. 'Rail roko (halting of trains)' was attempted at some places.

About 50,000 workers in coal mining areas in Umaria, Annupur, Shahdol, Chhindwara, Betul and Sidhi were on strike.

A UNI report from Indore said, a demonstration was staged and 800 workers courted arrest.

After a public meeting a Gandhi Hall premises, a procession was taken out towards railway station. The procession was stopped near the railway station.

According to a statement issued by the CITU, more than 2,000 unorganised labourers took part in the demonstration.

UNI