3 minutes to speak, a 'cheap joke'; trade unions to boycott pre-budget meeting

New Delhi: Ten major trade unions in the country are to boycott the pre-budget meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman citing the lack of proper time allotted to putforward their demands and concerns.

By referring to the 3 minute time slot allotted for each as a "cheap joke", a letter signed by 10 prominent trade unions in the nation including AITU, CITU, HMS, LPF and AIUTUC was sent to the finance minister.

In the letter the Unions have sought reconsideration for the time slot allotted and called for an in-person meeting with the finance minister rather than a video conference.

"Now your email dated 25.11.2022 under reference, makes it explicit that each Central Trade Union will be allowed to speak for three minutes. This is a joke and we refuse to be part of such a cheap joke. We will not participate in the proposed video conference on 28.11.2022," the letter said.

"We urge upon you to seriously reconsider time-allotment for effective consultations. And in the alternative, we reiterate our invitation to you to an open public debate regarding these policies, without any time restriction on you to defend the policies that you have been following. We look forward to your agreeing to such a debate," the letter further said.

Sitharaman has been holding pre-budget consultations with various sectors since November 21. The union budget for 2023-24 is expected to be presented on February 1, 2023.

-IANS Inputs