360 million letters pile up as Indian postal strike enters 9th day

News reports quoted Communications Minister Ram Vilas Paswan as saying more than 1 billion rupees (21 million dollars) worth of money orders were stuck in the postal network following the protest by more than 600,000 postal employees. The workers are demanding increases in wages and pensions as well as improved pay and pensions for 300,000 part-time employees.

Paswan said he could not make a decision on the demands because they involve a huge amount of money that is the responsibility of the Finance Ministry and also because the pay and pension increases might set a precedent for other government workers seeking similar gains. He also said that the law known as the Essential Services Maintenance Act might be invoked to declare the strike illegal. This could lead to arrests and dismissals of employees who do not return to work.

But the strikers leaders said they would continue to ignore "such black laws and continue till our demands are met''. Paswan said most of the demands of the employees have been met and that their strike is unreasonable and a disruption of vital services.

(la/dpa)