Coal India unions oppose 10% stake sale in PSU

Employee unions at Coal India on Wednesday opposed the government's decision to sell 10% stake in the miner, with one of the trade unions threatening to go on strike against the divestment.

Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters on Wednesday that government expects to raise around Rs 20,000 crore from the sale of 10% stake in Coal India (CIL).

"We strongly oppose it (stake sale). We may also go on strike," Indian National Mine Workers' Federation Secretary General S Q Zama told PTI.

"We will try to meet soon to decide the next course of action," he added.

AITUC President Ramendra Kumar said, "We are opposing Coal India stake sale and other policies relating to coal industry."

"We will try our best to organise the workers to fight against the policies of the government," he said.

When asked whether the unions are planning to go on strike against the government's move, Kumar said, "Just now I cannot comment on it."

Jibon Roy with All India Coal Workers Federation said that the unions strongly oppose the government's move.

"There are different forms in the coal industry which may paralyse the coal production. We may go for it," Roy said.

In January, the coal workers had proceeded on a five-day day strike protesting the disinvestment in Coal India and restructuring of state-run Coal India.

However, the workers called it off after two days, as the government assured trade unions that the CIL will not be privatised and the employees' interest will be protected.

The strike was joined by all five major trade unions -- BMS, INTUC, AITUC, CITU and HMS.