In a development that can affect the trade union movement in the state,the state government on Thursday appealed for reduction in the number of trade unions present at manufacturing units or their offices. The appeal was made by Labour Minister Purnendu Basu. At a jute mill I found as many as 29 labour unions. This is very unfortunate as it leads to constant bickering among them. The reduced number of trade unions is in the interest of workers, said Basu. He said as per the provision of the Trade Union Act,two or three like-minded unions can merge. I appeal to all labour unions to make use of this provision and reduce their number, he said. The minister said he has already discussed the matter with several union leaders and received a positive response from them. However,it is only an appeal and there will be no coercion, Basu added. Left leaders have reacted sharply to Basus suggestion. If two unions go in for amalgamation,they will do it on their own and we dont need the ministers bhashan (speech), said Kali Ghosh,president of CITU,CPMs trade union wing. They are closing our trade union offices,beating our men up. They are the people who serve the interest of the industrialists and have no right to advise workers, he added.
