Mint workers threaten strike from March 7

To protest the corporatisation of mints & security presses

Employees unions of the nine security press units across the country have unanimously decided to go on a two-day strike from 7 March to protest against the Central government's move to corporatise mints, security presses and paper mills.

Unions of all nine security presses today launched a two-day signature campaign.

Despite strong protests from Union's across the country, the Central government, on February 10, brought into force the corporatisation of nine security press units across the country.

The new corporation christened Security, Printing and Minting Corporation of India (SPMCI) and Ashok Chawla, additional secretary, finance ministry, has been appointed as chairman and managing director.

The Union Cabinet had, in September 2005, approved the corporatisation of government mints, security presses, paper mills and the establishment of the Security, Printing and Minting Corporation of India.

In protest against government's move, all employees' unions have unanimously decided to stage joint strike on March 7-8.

Speaking to Business Standard, Balasaheb Aringale, vice-president, India Security Press Mazdoor Sangh, said "Employees' unions of all nine mints across the country have unanimously decided to go on a two-day strike from March 7. Twenty thousand employees from nine units will participate in the agitation.

A notice of strike has already been sent to the respective managements of all nine units. We have also started a two-day signature campaign and signatures of all workers will be sent to the Cabinet Secretary, Central government, as part of our protest. The Unions will hold demonstrations outside the premises of all security press units from February 23.

Also, the office bearers of the employees unions will stage two-day hunger strike from February 28. The agenda of the strike was unanimously decided at the meet of unions held at Delhi recently."