All central trade unions, except for the BJP - aligned Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, have given a call for a nationwide protest on Friday against the finance ministry's decision on the EPF interest rate.
The ministry decided to ratify 8. 7 percent interest rate on Employees Provident Fund for 2015 - 16 fiscal, which is lower than 8. 8 percent decided by the retirement fund body Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
"Trade unions across the country will protest tomorrow (Friday) against the government's decision to give approval to 8. 7 per cent EPF interest rate.
We want it to be 8. 8 percent as recommended by Central Board of Trustees (CBT).
I raised this issue in the Rajya Sabha today (Thursday), " said Tapan Kumar Sen, a trade unionist and CPI - M member of parliament.
"Ultimately, there will be a nationwide strike in September on many other issues, " he added.
Meanwhile, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya on Thursday said he will discuss the issue with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley soon.
A statement by All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) said: "This is for information that the Delhi units of Central Trade Unions, that is, AITUC, INTUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, SEWA, AICCTU, UTUC, LPF and MEC have decided to organise jointly a protest dharna on April 29 against the finance minister for reducing the EPF interest rate, ignoring an unanimous decision of the tripartite CBT. "
"This protest from all central trade unions is to condemn such arrogant, anti - worker approach of the central government, " it added.