Coal workers’ strike called off

The two-day old strike by coal workers across India on Wednesday called off with the government and the unions reaching an agreement after a marathon meeting. “The strike has been called off,” AITUC leader Lakhan Lal Mahato said after a meeting with Coal Minister Piyush Goyal that lasted for over six hours. The calling off of the strike midway will bring relief to the power sector that has faced prospect of fuel supplies drying up due to closure of half of the country’s coal mines during the strike. Mahato, however, did not share the details of the terms and conditions of the agreement reached between the government and the unions. Indian National Mineworkers’ Federation (INTUC) President Rajendra Singh also confirmed that the strike has been called off and an agreement with the government is being signed.