Describing general strike called by 11 central trade unions on January 8 and 9 as ‘politically motivated,’ BMS national organising secretary B. Surendran said on Monday that they were strongly opposing the call for bandh.

He said BMS with a membership of 1.73 crore through 5,300 affiliated unions as per 2011 figures had campaigned for public support not to support the bandh.

He told The Hindu that the response to 12-point charter demands submitted by the joint action committee of trade unions, in which BMS was a member till a year and half ago, from the Union government, was quite positive. “They have given in writing commitment to fulfil seven of the demands including raising ceiling on bonus, enhance bonus, increase minimum wages from 42 to 43% based on various categories and increase gratuity ceiling from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh,” he pointed out.

Mr. Surendran said the Centre had also increased honorarium for anganwadi workers from ₹3,000 to ₹4,500.

“This is the Centre’s share and the States can give additional amount as their share,” he stated.