100% FDI in coal mining: CIL output likely to be hit as workers' unions call for one-day strike today

Kolkata: Production of Coal India Ltd (CIL) is likely to take a hit on Tuesday as workmen unions have decided to go on one-day strike to protest against the Centre’s decision to allow 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) in coal mining.

All @CoalIndiaHQ workers to be on strike today against FDI/commercial mining in coal, @AnshuSharma02 reports pic.twitter.com/H5NyVi5vg3

— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) September 24, 2019

Five federations representing over half-a-million workers of Coal India Ltd and Singareni Collieries, called for the strike on Tuesday, seeking withdrawal of the central government’s decision regarding the foreign direct investment in coal mining.

“All five federations except BMS are going to observe the strike on Tuesday,” All India Coal Workers’ Federation general secretary DD Ramanandan told PTI.

Coal India produces around 2 million tonne of coal a day and the state-run miner accounts for over 80 percent of the country’s coal production.

RSS-affiliated labour union Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), which is not a signatory with other federations to the one-day strike notice, has started observing a five-day strike from Monday till 27 September on the same issue.

Coal India official said there is “no adverse impact on production on Monday despite the strike called by BMS”.

However, BMS leader B K Rai said the response to the strike was “good”.

Last week, the trade unions had declined to attend a meeting with Coal Minister Prahlad Joshi to discuss their demands of withdrawing 100 percent foreign direct investment in coal mining.

Unions that served one-day strike notice are Indian National Mineworkers’ Federation (INTUC), Hind Khadan Mazdoor Federation (HMS), Indian Mineworkers’ Federation (AITUC), All India Coal Workers’ Federation (CITU) and All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU).