When The Unions Will Not Log In

But IT minister Manab Mukherjee was categorical that the interests of the sectors was paramount for the state government. "The government will see to it that the sectors have 24/7 status." He also stressed that there was "no exploitation" of the workers. "The two sectors are vital to drive the state economy forward," says Mukherjee. For good measure, CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya also reassured a delegation of senior IT executives that his "government would not let the sector suffer during a strike or bandh in the state".

The trade unions, however, question the very manner in which the special status was given to the IT sector. Points out citu state secretary Kali Ghosh: "Any service can be deemed essential only by the state labour department. And no such notification has ever been issued." Ghosh added that the IT department is not the competent authority to give a special tag to any sector. The differences will figure prominently on the agenda when the CPI(M) state committee meets in Calcutta next week.