India is gearing up for one of its largest-ever strikes, with more than 25 crore (250 million) workers from various sectors set to participate in a nationwide protest known as Bharat Bandh. Scheduled for Wednesday, this massive strike has been called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions, and it’s expected to disrupt daily life across the country.
The central trade unions say this strike is a protest against what they describe as the government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policies.” They believe recent government decisions are harming the interests of ordinary workers and farmers, while favoring big corporations.
Amarjeet Kaur from the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) explained that the unions have been preparing for months, reaching out to both formal and informal sector workers. Not just city workers, but also farmers and rural laborers are expected to join in, making this a truly nationwide movement.
The strike is likely to impact several key sectors:
- Banking and insurance
- Postal services
- Coal mining
- Factories
- State-run transport services
Harbhajan Singh Sidhu from the Hind Mazdoor Sabha warned that these services could be heavily disrupted, especially in states where union presence is strong.
At the heart of this protest are 17 major demands that trade unions submitted to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya last year. The unions claim the government has ignored these demands and hasn’t even held the annual labour conference for a decade, which they see as a sign of neglect towards workers’ issues.
One of the biggest concerns is the introduction of four new labour codes by the government. According to the unions, these new laws:
- Weaken the rights of workers and trade unions
- Allow for longer working hours
- Make it easier for employers to avoid responsibility under labour laws
- Reduce the right to collective bargaining and the right to strike
- Decriminalize violations of labour laws by employers
The unions argue that these changes will make life harder for workers, making it easier for companies to hire on contract or casual terms and privatize public sector jobs.
The Bharat Bandh is not just about urban workers. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha and several agricultural worker unions have announced their support, planning to mobilize rural communities across India. This means the protest will be felt not only in cities but also in villages and small towns.
India has seen similar large-scale strikes in recent years. Major nationwide protests were held on November 26, 2020, March 28–29, 2022, and February 16, 2023. Each time, workers and unions have come together to voice their concerns about labour laws, privatization, and workers’ rights.
If you live in India, expect disruptions in banking, postal services, public transport, and possibly other essential services on the day of the strike. The scale of this protest shows the growing frustration among workers and farmers over government policies they believe are unfair.