Global Trade Union (ITUC) Under Govt Scanner
A dossier prepared by intel agencies says ITUC is managing its activities through its Indian affiliates
Zurich, Switzerland , October 23, 2015 (Newswire.com) - The government is investigating the role of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the world’s largest trade union federation, in leading labour strikes against the government.
A dossier prepared by intelligence agencies says ITUC is managing its activities through its Indian affiliates — the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha and SEWA.
“ITUC and its affiliates are accusing India and its government of poor compliance with international labour standards, especially with regard to child labour. Most such strikes are a politicallymotivated agenda against the ruling government,” the dossier said. Pointing out the affiliation of INTUC (affiliated to Congress), the dossier said it had participated in the nationwide strike against the NDA government on September 2.
INTUC general secretary Rajendra Prasad Singh said the trade union had nothing to hide and the government was more than welcome to investigate anything it wanted. “All our funding is accounted for. We receive it through cheques and it is duly audited. We are ready for any kind of investigation,” he said.
“We are not creating any trouble for the government. We are as nationalist as any other organisation and if the government wants to investigate our activities, it can do so,” said AD Nagpal, secretary, Hind Mazdoor Sabha.
SEWA national coordinator Renana Jhabvala said though the union was affiliated to ITUC, it did not receive any funding from it and had participated in the September 2 strike with other central trade unions.