New Delhi: Services across India are expected to face major disruption on Wednesday, July 9, as over 25 crore workers prepare to join a nationwide strike or Bharat Bandh, called by a forum of 10 central trade unions.
The striking workers are employed in critical sectors including banking, insurance, postal services, construction, highways, and coal mining, among others.
“More than 25 crore workers are expected to take part in the strike. Farmers and rural workers will also join the protest across the country,” said Amarjeet Kaur of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).
The general strike, backed by both formal and informal sector unions, has been called to protest against what the unions describe as the central government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer and pro-corporate policies”.
According to the forum, a 17-point charter of demands was submitted to Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya last year, but no satisfactory response has been received.
The trade unions allege that the government’s emphasis on “ease of doing business” has come at the cost of worker rights and welfare.
They have also criticised the implementation of four labour codes, claiming it aims to weaken collective bargaining and favour employers.
The unions further accused the Centre of failing to hold the annual labour conference for the last ten years, ignoring key worker demands.
“The government’s policies have led to rising unemployment, falling wages, higher prices of essentials, and cuts in social sector spending,” the forum said.
Key demands include:
- Job creation to address rising unemployment
- Higher wages for MGNREGA workers
- Reversal of the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme, which the unions say primarily benefits employers
The Bharat Bandh is likely to impact several services nationwide, with banks, public transport, coal mines, postal delivery, and government construction projects expected to be hit the hardest.