Indian trade unions vow bitter opposition to "anti-worker" budget

Indian labour unions have vowed bitter opposition to what they described as the "hire and fire" policies contained in Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha's budget for the year beginning April 1st.

The budget unveiled by Mr Sinha on Wednesday eased rigid rules governing labour lay offs and industrial closures in a bid to boost investment.

Labour unions held protest meetings and rallies across India on Friday to mobilise public opinion against the budget, and are planning another big rally for March the 15th.

Suresh Dhopeshwarkar, national secretary of the communist-led All India Bank Employees Association, says various national trade unions will meet to evolve a plan of action to intensify the protests.

4/03/01 16:10:32 | ABC Radio Australia News

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