Coal news and updates

Coal sector trade unions begin five-day strike

January 6: Trade unions in the coal sector on January 6 began a five-day strike which would impact coal production by 7-8 million tons and affect fuel supply to power plants.

Around 8 lakh workers are participating in this strike, including contract workers.

The strike has been called by the five unions affiliated to central trade union bodies, including the BJP-backed Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS).

Workers at both Coal India Ltd (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) are taking part in the industrial action.

The unions decided to hold the strike to protest against the government’s plan to disinvest its shares in CIL and to also open up the coal sector to private miners.