Electricity Workers Hold One-Hour Nationwide Strike on Dec 30 Against Privatisation

New Delhi: Electricity workers across the country held a “one-hour” strike from 12 p.m to 1 p.m against privatisation on December 30, 2024. Alongside, solidarity protests were held in various states in support of protesting power sector workers in Chandigarh and UP.

The strike call was given by the Electricity Employees’ Federation of India (EEFI) and endorsed by the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees & Engineers (NCCOEEE). Solidarity protests in support of electricity sector employees’ agitation against privatisation of the Union territory of Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana were also held.

The token strike was accompanied by massive mobilisations in state state capitals and submission of memoranda to the President of India, a press statement by the EEFI said.

“This national level action is premised on the ongoing heroic anti-privatisation struggle of Chandigarh and UP Powermen. The Chandigarh UT Administration has become desperate to gift over its exemplary public power utility to a private company at throw away price,” said EEFI, adding that the “high valued utility with annual average profit of Rs 250 Crore was put in bidding at a base price of meager Rs 174.63 Crore.”

It noted that similar privatisation “attacks” had been unleashed on Purvanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd. (PVVNL) and Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd. (DVVNL) of Uttar Pradesh.

“These two utilities are yet to collect Rs 66,000 crore as pending bills which will be added to private kitty if these are handed over. Strikingly, the proposed reserve bid price is around paltry Rs 1,500 crore!” EEFI added.

Congratulating power sector workers across the country for the “success” of the token strike, EEFI criticises the Chandigarh Administration and the UP government for invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and a ban on any form of public demonstrations, “instead of listening to the stakeholders.”

Giving details of the strike, EEFI said, “As per the primary report received till 02.30 PM, more than 24,000 i.e. 90% of the total strength of the electricity employees participated in Seize work in Kerala. Around 10,000 participated in strikes in 63 offices in Himachal Pradesh. 8,400 joined the strike in Tamil Nadu including the Generation Stations. Around 10,000 employees in Punjab, 3500 employees in Haryana, 500 in Andhra Pradesh and 350 in Assam observed Strike and protest demonstrations. Around 4,000 employees took part in Strike action in Telangana in 31 districts. Electricity employees in J&K came onto the street in the midst of a huge snowfall. Massive Strike participation Reports are pouring in from other states also.”

Meanwhile, road transport workers under the banner of the All India Road Transport Workers’ Federation held solidarity action for electricity sector employees throughout the country, as also the All India State Government Employees Federation.

Recall that the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions of India had called upon the entire trade union movement of the country to “actively stand in solidarity with the struggling electricity employees.”

EEFI said “this nationwide action firmly expresses the resolute determination of India’s electricity workers to protect its public assets. The massive solidarity further demonstrates the spirit of the other section of the working class in support of the struggle.”

The statement, issued by EEFI general secretary Prasanta Chowdhury, said electricity workers “with most strategic striking power are determined to advance this struggle to any extent, even to the stage of indefinite strike action, if the government at the Centre does not halt its anti-people privatisation attempt of public power utilities.”