Millions of Indian workers go on strike

India’s major trade unions and thousands of smaller unions have voiced support for the one-day nationwide industrial action that began midnight Monday and is expected to affect banks, transportation, post offices and ports.

The workers also want improved rights for employees and an end to the selling of state firms by the Indian government, which has been faced with a large budget deficit.

“This is an historic occasion. For the first time all the big trade unions have come together to protest the anti-labor polices of the government,” said All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Gurudas Dasgupta.

“We are fighting for our rights against a government that is anti-people,” Dasgupta claimed.

The government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is trying to cut its budget deficit by selling stakes in state-run companies.

Although India’s inflation rate fell from 9.5 percent in December, the lower figure of 7.5 percent is still viewed as high.

DB/MB/HJL

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