New Delhi: Finding that the draft Common Minimum Programme (CMP) was "inadequate", the Central Trade Unions today (May 24, 2004) said it was not "acceptable" to them and laid out over a dozen demands to the new Government headed by Prime Minster Manmohan Singh.

"CMP is inadequate and not acceptable to us", All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) General Secretary Gurudas Dasgupta told reporters after its national convention held today to congratulate the working class for defeating NDA (National Democratic Alliance) Government.

He said the Trade Unions (TUs) would be finalising the workers' charter by tomorrow and meet the Prime Minister and Labour Minister Sis Ram Ola.

Elaborating on workers' charter, Dasgupta said it included restoration of provident fund interest at 9.5 per cent, amendments to bonus and Payment of Wages Act, winding up of disinvestment ministry, labour law reforms and steps to be taken in view of Supreme Court's observation on Right to Strike.

Today's meeting, attended by CITU (Centre of Indian trade Unions), AICCTU (All India Central Council of Trade Unions), HMS (Hind Mazdoor Sabha), TUCC (Trade Union Co-ordination Centre), UTUC (United Trade Union Congress) and UTUC (LS), also endorsed the view that there should be higher interest rates for the small savings.

Besides, he asked for special packages for tea, textiles and jute industry workers and a comprehensive law for agriculture workers in the country.

Asking the Labour Ministry to work more efficiently, he said the PF Act should be strengthened to make it stringent for preventing frauds.