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CIL unions oppose stake divestment, not keen on strike

India Coal Market Watch

 November 19: Although strongly opposed to the Union government’s plan to sell another 10% stake in Coal India Ltd (CIL), union leaders on November 19 said they were in the process of consultation but did not assert on going for a strike to stall the move.

“We are in the process of holding talks with other unions. We will oppose the move as best as we can,” Jibon Roy, Secretary, All India Coal Workers’ Federation, told ICMW.

He, however, hastened to add that “there is no plan to hold a strike as yet. Apart from strike, there are various other tools which can be used to protest against the government move,” he said.

In a similar vein, AITUC President Ramendra Kumar said the unions would fight against the government policy, but skirted a query on holding strikes.

Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal said on November 18 that the government expects to raise around Rs 20,000 crore from the sale of 10% stake in CIL.

Earlier, all the major 5 trade unions – BMS, INTUC, AITUC, CITU and HMS – had taken part in a five-day strike in January but gave up after two days, following assurances from the government that workers’ interests would be protected.