AITUC to discuss reforms with corporates

Having alienated a large section of the industry by forcing lockouts and by their militant trade unionism, resulting in deteriorating labour-management relations, the CPI-backed All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) seems to going in for an image makeover by opening a dialogue with the corporate sector and the advocates of economic reforms.

The AITUC, which has been in the forefront of labour agitations, including the violent one at Honda manufacturing plant in Gurgaon a few months ago, has invited captains of the industry to a pre-budget seminar on February 10-11.

"The idea is to reach a consensus on how to make the Budget pro-people", says AITUC General Secretary H Mahadevan.

Among those who have confirmed participation are Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, ONGC Chairman Subir Raha, former member, Planning Commission, Dr Hanumantha Rao, former RBI Governor Bimal Jalan, and CPI general secretary AB Bardhan.

"Invitations have also been sent to FICCI and the CII although their participation is yet to be confirmed," said Mahadevan.

"The idea is to have discussions with various stakeholders of the Indian economy," said Bardhan, adding that they had organised such seminars in various other states as well.

"We want to explore the possibility of changing the priorities of the coming Budget and making it more people-oriented. We want to hold discussions with corporates, economists and other stakeholders on the sectors where allocations should be targeted and on how to mobilise resources," the AITUC general secretary said.