India is Bracing for a Massive Nationwide General Strike on Wednsday, with Over 25 Crore Workers from Banking, Insurance, Postal Services, Coal Mining, Other SECTORS EXPECTED TO WALACTED TO WALACTED TO WALLALK OF THE JOB. The Strike Called by a Joint Platform of 10 Central Trade Unions Has Been Dubbed A Bharat Bandh, Aiming to Protest Against The Tentral Government’s “Anti-Worker, Anti-FARMERMERMERMERMERMER, And Pro-CORPORATE Policies.”
The strike is expected to paralyse several key sector. “Banking, postal, coal mining, factors, and state transport services will be affected due to the strike,” Said harbhajan singh sidhu of the hind mazdoor sabha.
Intensive Mobilisation has been underway for months in both formal and informal sector, said amarjeet kaur of the all India Trade Union Congress (Aituc). Farmers and Rural Workers are also expected to join protests across the country.
What are the unions demanding?
At the center of the strike is a 17-point charter of demands submitted by the unions to labour minister mansukh mandaviya last year. These Demands include the four new labore codes, protection of Employment, Minimum Wage Guarantees, and Restoration of the Annual Indian Labor Conference, Which Has Not Been Held for A Decade.
In a joint statement, the unions claimed the four labore codes passed by parliament are aimed at diluting works ‘rights’ rights. They argue that the new laws weaken unionation, allows Longer Working Hours, Decriminalise Violations of Labor Laws by Employers, and Limit Workers’ Ability to Strike Oor Bargaain Collexily.
“The government has abandoned the welfare state model and is pursuing policies that face corporates – Both Indian and Foreign,” The Statement said. The unions also opposed the Ongoing Privatization and Outsourcing of Public Sector Enterprises and Jobs.
This is not the first time trade unions have launched a general strike. Similar protests were observed on November 26, 2020; March 28-29, 2022; And February 16, 2023. Unions have pledged to continue their struggle until until their demands are met.
