Ghandi cracks down onstrikers
Socialist Organiser1982 1982-01-21Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 5 →
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Tues. FEbRUAry 2nd, 7:30 SACK ME TINE ONWAY HALL 50p WOMEN AGAINST Women from GREENHAM COMMON Peace Carr Women's Fightback meeting: Women Against the Bomb' with CND chairperso Joan Ruddock. Tuesday February 2, 7.30, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square As we go to press, millions of Indian workers are taking part in a general strike aimed against Indira Gandhi's anti-union and repressive legislation.
Over 6,000 trade union and political activists were arrested before the strike and are being held without trial. In some states, police were given orders to shoot strikers on sight and so far ten workers are reported to have been shot.
Illegal The unions are protesting at Gandhi's legislation which makes any stoppages in the public sector illegal, allows strikers and union organisers to be sentenced with summary trial and which also allows for detention without trial for political opponents of the regime. There is, however, no ban on lockouts or lay-offs.
Rigging The Indian government faces a 20% inflation rate and cuts in aid from the World Bank. The anti-union laws are their means of imposing a wage freeze and crushing union resistance to austerity measures.
At the same time, Gandhi's Congress Party is losing by elections for state assemblies and looks increasingly doubtful to win the next general elections in 1985.
In these circumstances, there is speculation about Gandhi rigging a new Constitution or reintroducing a state of emergency such as existed between 1975 and 1977. Crushing union resistance is a necessary first step to doing this and Gandhi is sparing no effort to carry this through. continues of leaders of the DISK trade union confede ation by the Evren junta.
In Britain the Turkey Solidarity Campaign is organising a speaking tour by DISK leaders in Europe, to take place •.Li 'Capitalist Crisis and Socialist Alternative' , a detailed study of the breakdown of the boom, by Bob Sutcliffe.
50 › plus postage from PO Box 135, London N1ODD. CAPITALIO:
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"Socialist Organiser no 69 January 21, 1981 Page 6
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