09/20/2012, 00.00
INDIA
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India, 50 million people on strike against the opening to foreign supermarkets

The lockout is called by opposition parties and trade unions. Schools, offices and stores in different states of the country closed. Transport suspended for the whole day. With the entry of international chains in Indian market retail, small shopkeepers fear losing livelihoods.

Mumbai (AsiaNews / Agencies) - At least 50 million people in India have joined the nationwide strike today, organized by opposition parties and trade unions to protest against the opening of the retail market to foreign superstore chains. Schools, shops and offices were closed in several parts of the country, and public transport services have been suspended or blocked by the population. The protest has garnered most support in states led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, ultra-nationalist Hindu party in opposition) in Bangalore (Karnataka), the headquarters of large foreign multinationals like IBM have decided to remain closed for ' whole day. Beyond the inconvenience caused by the various shutdowns, so far the protest has been largely peaceful.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the contested reform on September 14 last. The plan allows for up to 51% of foreign direct investment from large international chains (Carrefour, Walmart), and 100% for brands (Nokia, Reebok). For the prime minister, the measure will give new impetus to the economy, which last year registered a decline in growth.

According to the opposition, the reform will directly affect the small retailers in the country, forced to close with the entry of large foreign chains. A shopkeeper in New Delhi said: "These supermarkets can sell products at cost price. This means that many people will lose their customers". In India, the retail market provides employment to more than 40 million people. More than 90% of internal trade is through small local retailers.

In addition to the opposition, even some allies of the UPA government (United Progressive Alliance) are opposed to the reform of the retail market. First in line, the Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerjee (also chief minister of West Bengal): if the measure goes through, the political leader says he will withdraw his party from the government with the resignation of its six ministers. However, even if Banjeree carries out his threat, the Singh executive would not be in crisis (yet).

 

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