Indian trade unions protest government’s anti-trade policies

Thousands of traders from every corner of India converged at the famous Ram Lila Ground in the capital, New Delhi, to hold a massive protest against what they call government’s anti-trade policies. They also urged the government to formulate a policy to govern the online retail market which they say will prove detrimental to domestic trade and commerce in the country.
The protesters were demanding a national policy to upgrade and modernize the existing retail trade to meet any global challenges. The rally witnessed the participation of a number of unions from several states of the country. The loud voices echoed the sentiments of tens of thousands of traders from all over the country who are hit hardly by the online selling. The traders expressed deep concern over unethical business practices followed by the online business retailers, saying it has created an uneven market for offline traders like small and medium business enterprises; they demand laws and policies for e-commerce business in India. Traders say they want the newly formed Modi government to fulfill its election promises. Trade union activists say their demands are genuine, adding the government’s open market economy has only benefitted corporates to become richer at the cost of the labour force. They have vowed to continue their fight till the government meet their demands.