The strike, organised by a coalition of ten central trade unions and their affiliate organisations, is a protest against what they describe as the central government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate” stance.
New Delhi: India is likely to witness a nationwide protest on Wednesday by 10 major trade unions against the central government’s labour and economic policies. These include well-known unions like INTUC, AITUC, CITU, and SEWA. Public buses, taxis, and app-based cab services (Ola, Uber, Rapido, inDrive) could be affected as trade unions and allied groups hold protest marches and road demonstrations in several cities.
According to the reports, over 25 crore workers across public services sectors such as banking, insurance, postal and construction are expected to call a nationwide strike or Bharat Bandh on July 9, a forum of 10 central trade unions in India said.
“The Bharat bandh will be disrupting services across the country. Banking, postal, coal mining, factories, state transport services will be affected due to the strike,” Harbhajan Singh Sidhu from Hind Mazdoor Sabha was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Are banks closed today?
The banking sector will join Wednesday’s Bharat bandh, an association of bank employees told news agency PTI. The Bengal Provincial Bank Employees Association, affiliated to the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), further stated that the insurance sector will also join the strike. Banking services are likely to be disturbed across the nation, although no banking holiday has been announced yet.
Trade Unions Supporting the Strike
- Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
- All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)
- Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS)
- Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)
- All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC)
- Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC)
- Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA)
- All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU)
- Labour Progressive Federation (LPF)
- United Trade Union Congress (UTUC)
Sectors Likely to Be Affected
- Banking and financial services
- Postal services
- Coal mining and industrial units
- State-run transport services
- Public sector undertakings (PSUs)
According to the reports, the unions are concerned about the government’s push for four new labour codes that they say weaken workers’ rights and collective bargaining. They also highlight rising unemployment, inflation, and the lack of job opportunities for the youth.
