Yes, Speaker

Party MP and politburo member Brinda Karat has picked up another issue, writing to the health minister saying there were concerns that the government could sacrifice the interests of women in clinical trials to accommodate multinational pharma companies. 8220;It is reported that India will earn a large amount of foreign exchange through the outsourcing of pharma companies of clinical trials in India estimated at 1 billion in the next few years,8221; she writes. India is attractive to the pharma companies because recruits cost 60 per cent less than in developed countries. Asking for stringent measures, she points out how drug companies exploit the economic vulnerability of the recruits and the lack of compensation or insurance for them. She has suggested consultations with women activists and health workers with health officials on the issue.

Left strikes again

Having failed to get the government to accept their key demand for a 9.5 per cent interest rate on EPF deposits, trade unions have now drawn up a plan for an indefinite strike by Central government employees from March 1 on a 20-point charter of demands. The trade unions that were left to handle the EPF cause after Left parties did not take it up at the UPA-Left coordination meeting earlier this month have realised the failure of factory gate demonstrations to force the issue. According to People8217;s Democracy, the strike notice will be served by the unions on February 7, and the strike will be joined by railwaymen and employees in defence establishments. Incidentally, the Left parties too believe that as far as the EPF case is concerned, only a full-fledged strike can influence the government. The recent demonstrations on December 20 and again on January 20 made no impact on the government.

Back to school

In the area of universalisation of education, the Left believes that there are two approaches 8212; of the government that regards education as a commodity and of the Left that deems it a right to be granted. A report on an All-India Convention on Education has CPIM MP Sitaram Yechury arguing that all education policies serve the interests of the ruling classes at specific junctures. These policies justify heavy funding for institutions that meet their demand for qualified personnel. Under globalisation, quality education is becoming a privilege of the few while the majority of people are kept out of this because of lack of funds. Only greater public financing of education will help, says Yechury. The CPIM leader says future action for universalisation of education will include a debate on how the education cess will be spent and opposition to privatisation of education.

Compiled by Ananda Majumdar

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