Govt issues ordinance prohibiting strikes by those engaged in essential defence services

The Ordinance comes in the backdrop of major federations of the OFB announcing to go on indefinite strike from the later part of July in protest against the govt’s decision to corporatise the OFB

The government on June 30 came out with an ordinance prohibiting any agitation and strike by anyone engaged in the essential defence services. The Essential Defence Services Ordinance 2021 comes in the backdrop of the announcement by major federations of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) to go on indefinite strike from the later part of next month in protest against the government’s decision to corporatise the OFB. A gazette notification said employees involved in the production of defence equipment, services and operation or maintenance of any industrial establishment connected with the military as well as those employed in repair and maintenance of defence products will come under the purview of the ordinance.