KERALA - National Strike on 21-5-03

Media reports say that the national strike turned as a "BANDH" in Kerala. In totality it was true. It was in mid summer vacation time and so the schools and colleges were closed.

The strike in power sector in Kerala was not up to the mark. 60% of the workers desisted to attend work on 21^st. Officers who were attending shift duty in generating stations and substations were exempted from participating in strike. Out of the balance 46% of the officers abstained from the work. Among them 97% officers were members of KSEB Officers Association (EEFI).

Even though the Minister of Electricity claim himself as a TU leader and proclaim that he is against privatization in power sector, as an individual, all his deeds, done hitherto, attribute to privatization. The first and foremost slogan of the strike was against privatization of public sector which is profitable or which can be brought in green from red. But the Minister who appears as very vocal against privatization, occasionally, is in a very notable position in his effort to crush the strike against privatization, when comparing his colleagues or NDA leaders in the centre. His actions against strike on 21^st May and the strikers is the last in its queue.

There was announcement in the paper that in addition to ‘diesnon’ those who struck work in electricity will be dealt severely in transfers. After the strike he began transferring out all the balance leaders of Officers Association in the rank of Assistant Executive Engineers. Other sections are also in the anvil. Conspiring with the IG of Police (Vigilance & Security) and Chairman, he is fabricating cases against almost all officers. He has prepared and kept ready for serving, charge sheets against the General Secretary of KSEB Officers Association, for persuading the officers to strike.

Media gradually started exposing his nepotism and favoritism, including a "Perumal Swamy" in his personal staff.

There were such ministers earlier also, against whom and the policies of their government, electricity employees in Kerala fought heroically. Now it seems that the flame is wet and fire is almost extinguished. There was sufficient time for organizations for individual and joint campaigns for the national strike. But no such inspiring and joint campaigns took place in Electricity Board. The less and less the joint activity against the anti national policies, the more and more is the attack against the employees in KSEB. Recently for the first time in the history of KSEB, the Board issued a notice, terminating the long term settlement, before signing another L.T. settlement. Evidently it is to alter the service conditions unilaterally.