On 18 May 2006, based on the strike call given by General Insurance Employees All India Association, approximately 1,000 employees of the four Public Sector General Insurance companies held a massive dharna before Jeewan Bharati Building at Connaught Place in New Delhi, against the imposition of the unilateral Management Agenda in the Insurance sector. The employees of National Insurance Co. Ltd., Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd., United India Insurance Co. Ltd. and New India Assurance Co. Ltd. were on protest since March 2006 against the management’s decision to increase the working hours and take away the existing benefits of the employees including the wage revision, compassionate appointments, half-day casual leave facility and additional casual leave. At the same time, the promotion for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 was not-declared.

Rajneesh Pandey, General Secretary of General Insurance Employees Association Northern Zone, New Delhi, emphasised the need for the management to reconsider its anti-worker policies. He insisted that there should be a move to consolidate the four General Insurance companies into one monolithic Corporation.

The employees, who were vehemently opposing the merger and closure of the offices, disinvestments, outsourcing of office works, etc., were addressed by various trade union leaders of All India Trade Union Congress, The General Insurance Employees` All India Association, General Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company, banks and other public sector organisations. Trade union leaders expressed serious concern about the dictatorial attitude of the managements, and appealed to Finance Minister P Chidambaram to intervene in the matter for the restoration of the above benefits.

The union has further threatened to intensify their countrywide action programme, through dharnas, hunger strikes and strikes, in support of their genuine and justifiable demands.