Unions call off coal strike after delay in commercial mining auction

Coal industry unions have deferred a one-day strike scheduled on August 18. The strike was called against the government decision to open up the sector for commercial coal mining by private players.

Five central trade unions — BMS, HMS, AITUC, CITU and INTUC — last month declared their decision to go on a one-day strike against issues such as commercial coal mining, disinvestment of Coal India and the wages of contract workers.

However, a deferment of the auction process has now prompted the unions to call off the strike for the time being.

The auction of blocks earmarked for commercial mining will now take place between October 19, 2020 and November 9, 2020.