Wednesday, March 16 2005 21:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: CPI (Communist Party of India) today (Mar 16, 2005) asked the Government to hold talks with the trade unions to take cognisance of the problems afflicting millions of workers and avert strikes and agitations slated in the next few weeks.

Pointing out that a nationwide bank strike involving seven lakh staffers was to be held on March 22 followed by a two-day strike by 1.5 lakh insurance employees, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said it was "unfortunate" that the Government was not taking cognisance of their problems or holding talks with the unions.

Dasgupta, accompanied by CPI leaders Ajoy Chakraborty and Sudhakar Reddy, told reporters that eight lakh coal workers and power sector employees were also agitated over the "inordinate" delay in settlement of their pending demands.

"No economy can grow or a Government function if the workers are restive. Industrial peace is a prerequisite for economic growth," Dasgupta said.

He asked the Government to be "little more responsive" to the workers' demands than the erstwhile NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government.