Unions in India threaten protests over strike ban

July 29, 1981

Indian labor unions have threatened nationwide protest demonstrations against an official ban on strikes that could bring Prime Minister Indira Gandhi into bitter confrontation with the opposition. Trying to curb growing labor unrest, the government issued the tough antistrike measures to maintain essential services. But it could provide the demoralized opposition parties with a volatile issue on which to mount a campaign against Mrs. Gandhi, as the first protests were pl anned for today (June 29).