Transport Workers Prepare For All-India Strike

Transport workers across India are preparing for a nationwide strike on 6 March 2018, in protest against the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2017.

The Bill seeks to amend the Motor Vehicles Act 1988. While the BJP-led NDA government claims it will make the roads safer and reduce accidents, the provisions of the Bill pave the way for the handing over of the core road transport sector — including licensing, registration, maintenance and spare parts market — to the corporates.

On 15 February 2018, a National Convention of Motor Transport Workers and Stake Holders was held in Delhi to give the call for the national strike with the demand that the government withdraw the amendment Bill.

On 6 March, protest actions will be organised throughout the country and memorandums will be submitted to the governors. Conventions will also be held in all states before 20 March 2018 to mobilise the transport sector workers as well as to garner public support for the struggle. This will be accompanied by vigorous campaigns including distribution of leaflets, conducting vehicle jathas, etc.

The national convention was jointly organised by all national transport federations associated with central trade unions like the AITUC, CITU, INTUC, HMS, LPF, AICCTU, UTUC, TUCC and AIUTUC as well as independent state organisations of road transport undertakings, private bus/mini bus, auto, taxi, light vehicles, goods transport, driving school, spare parts shops, automobile workshops and vehicle owners associations.

The participants said the BJP-led NDA government had been continuing with its anti-worker policies while ignoring the protests by transport workers.

The amendment Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 10 April 2017, overruling the objections raised by the Left and other opposition parties including the Congress.

When the Bill was placed before the Rajya Sabha on 11 April 2017, it was referred to a Standing Committee at the demand of the opposition parties.

After a detailed examination, the Standing Committee submitted its report to the government with some small amendments. It was again referred to the Select Committee on 8 August 2017, on the insistence of the opposition parties.

However, the Select Committee bypassed the objections raised by various quarters and submitted its report to the government without any amendments. The Bill has been listed on the agenda of the Rajya Sabha since the winter session.