NEW DELHI: Ahead of the proposed two-day strike by Central trade
unions beginning Wednesday, the Government has warned employees of
"consequences" including deduction in wages and disciplinary action
if they take part in the protest.
In a stern directive, the Department
of Personnel and Training has written to secretaries of all central government
ministries not to sanction any kind of leave to employees during the period of
the proposed strike.
It has also asked the concerned
departments to make a report indicating the number of employees who take part
in the proposed strike and convey it to the DoPT on the evening of the
day.
The instructions issued by the DoPT
prohibit a government servant from participating in any form of strike
including mass casual leave, go-slow etc. or any action that abet any form of
strike in violation of Rule of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules,
1964.
"As to the concomitant rights
of an association after it is formed, they cannot be different from the rights
which can be claimed by the individual members of which the association is
composed. It follows that the right to form an association does not include any
guaranteed right to strike. There is no statutory provision empowering the
employees to go on strike," it said in the directive.
The Supreme Court has also agreed in
several judgements that going on a strike is a grave misconduct under the
Conduct Rules and that misconduct by the government employees is required to be
dealt with in accordance with the law.
"Any employee going on strike
in any form would face the consequences which, besides deduction of wages, may
also include appropriate disciplinary action," the DoPT said.
Protesting against government's
"inaction" on price rise and alleged violation of labour laws, 11
Central trade unions and workers' federation have called for a two-day
nationwide strike on February 20 and 21.
Source :
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com
