PM appeals to trade unions to call off strike, offers talks

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has offered talks and appealed to trade unions to withdraw their proposed two-day countrywide strike from February 20. 

"I appeal to the central trade unions to withdraw their call for countrywide general strike on February 20 and 21. Such a strike would lead to avoidable loss to our economy and inconvenience to the public through disruption of services," Dr Singh said in his message. 

Dr Singh also pointed out that some of the issues raised by the trade unions are already being acted upon and others are at various stages of consideration. 

"While some of the issues raised by the trade unions are already being acted upon and others are at various stages of consideration, I have requested my senior Cabinet colleagues A K Antony, Sharad Pawar, P Chidambaram and Mallikarjun Kharge to together hold discussions with the leaders of the Trade Unions," he added. 

He expressed confidence that the discussions will result in the course of action that is acceptable to both the trade unions and the government. 

Central trade unions and federations of workers have called for a two-day nationwide strike starting from February 20 against price-rise and "violation of labour laws".