New Delhi:
The nation-wide strike against government's "anti-labour" policies had little impact on normal life in Delhi today though functioning of PSU banks was affected and a number of autos and taxi drivers kept their vehicles off the roads.
Commuters complained that frequency of state-run buses was low as the 24-hour strike called by all major unions to protest the "anti-labour" policies of the government, rising prices and disinvestment of PSUs began this morning.
Unions leaders, who have rejected appeals to desist from the strike, said all 11 major trade unions including Congress-affiliated INTUC, Shiv Sena-backed Bharatiya Kamgar Sena and UPA ally Indian Union Muslim League's trade-wing STU have joined hands to make the strike a success.
The unions are demanding no contractorisation of work -- permanent or perennial nature, amendment of Minimum Wages Act, assured pension for all and compulsory registration of trade union among others.
Many bank customers were left at sea as employees of PSU banks refused to conduct transactions as part of the protest.
Employees of RBI in the capital held a protest outside their office and shouted slogans against the policies of the government.
Auto and taxi union leaders said they were participating in the strike to protest against the government policies towards them. They alleged the government was doing nothing for setting up a welfare board as ordered by the Supreme Court.
In a bid to ensure that power supply in the capital remains uninterrupted during the strike, Delhi government had last night clamped ESMA on all power companies, including that of generation and distribution.