UP government bans strike by government employees for six months..

The Uttar Pradesh government has banned strike by government employees for 6 months. The UP government has invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). This ban is applicable to employees of all government departments, corporations and authorities. This act gives the police the power to arrest the employees going on strike without a warrant. They can be sentenced to jail for one year or a fine of Rs.1,000/-, or both. Government employees do not go on strike for entertainment. Strike will be organised only as the last option, when all the attempts to settle the demands amicably, fail. Hence, banning of strike by the UP government is undemocratic and condemnable.