India

Millions strike against inflation and government policies

Article published on the 2008-08-20 Latest update 2008-08-20 14:35 TU

A truck driver walks past parked trucks during a nationwide strike in the Indian city of Siliguri
(Photo: Reuters)

Millions of workers have gone on strike to protest rising inflation in India. Flights from New Delhi to Kolkata have been cancelled and rail traffic in West Bengal severely interrupted due to striking transports workers.

Workers in the telecom and banking industries were also staying away from work.

West Bengal police said 10,000 security personnel have been deployed in what they called "a precautionary step."

Tapan Sen, an MP and the national secretary for the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, told RFI that "around 80 million workers took part in today's general strike." He said the work-stoppages were "countrywide" and that they affected "all industries in the economy."

 

The strike is centred on inflation, which is running at a high of almost 12.5 per cent, while low pay for junior government staff is also a grievance.

The trade unions that have called the strike are supported by the country's communist parties, which last month withdrew support for the government.