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Coal India Output Likely To Take Hit Due To Strike On Tuesday

Five federations representing over half-a-million workers have called for a strike on Sept. 24.

Workers collect charcoal that has been filtered with a wire mesh at a coal wholesale market in Mumbai, India. (Photographer: Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg)  
Workers collect charcoal that has been filtered with a wire mesh at a coal wholesale market in Mumbai, India. (Photographer: Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg)  

Production of Coal India Ltd. 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 in coal mining.

Five federations representing over half-a-million workers of Coal India and Singareni Collieries, called for the strike on Sept. 24, seeking withdrawal of the central government's decision regarding the foreign direct investment in coal mining.

"All five federations except BMS (Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh) 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.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh -affiliated labour union 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 Sept. 27 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 BK 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, Hind Khadan Mazdoor Federation, Indian Mineworkers' Federation, All India Coal Workers' Federation and All India Central Council of Trade Unions.