On Wednesday, July 9th, a nationwide strike called “Bharat Bandh” was organized by a coalition of 10 national trade unions and their affiliated organizations in India, mobilizing over 250 million workers from various sectors to protest against the central government’s policies seen as “anti-labor, anti-farmer, pro-corporate”.
According to reports from the “Indian Express”, the strike came into effect in the early hours of the day and was expected to last the entire day. The strike impacted a wide range of industries including banking, insurance, postal services, public sector units (PSUs), government departments, coal mines, manufacturing, and other key sectors, leading to a complete halt in many public services.
State-run transportation services were also affected, with disruptions and delays in commuting observed in several areas. However, schools and private businesses remained open as usual, while essential services such as hospitals, police stations, and fire departments operated normally. Taxi services and metro operations were largely unaffected, though major roadways might experience congestion due to protest activities.
The unions criticized the central government for not convening the annual labor conference for the past decade, severely neglecting the voices of workers. As early as last year, they had submitted a list of 17 demands to the federal labor minister Mansukh Mandaviya, concerning labor security, wage conditions, and workers’ rights, but have yet to receive a substantial response.
They strongly opposed the government’s push for four new labor laws, believing that they aimed to weaken unions, extend working hours, strip bargaining and strike rights, heavily favoring the interests of employers. Moreover, they criticized the reduction in public spending, exacerbating income inequality and youth unemployment, with the 20 to 25 age group being particularly affected.
The unions accused the government of repeatedly favoring employers, compromising labor rights, and even suppressing peaceful protests in the name of public safety. Hence, they decided to launch a nationwide strike to strongly protest against these actions.
Groups participating in this strike include the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), Labor Progressive Federation (LPF), and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC). Farmer groups like the “United Farmers Front” (Samyukta Kisan Morcha), rural worker organizations, along with employees from railways, state-owned mining companies, and the steel industry, also joined in solidarity.