Latest news with #CentralTradeUnions
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bank strike halts services across Gujarat
Ahmedabad: Banking operations in Gujarat came to a grinding halt on Wednesday as over 20,000 employees from nationalized and select private sector banks joined the all-India strike called by Central Trade Unions. The coordinated protest disrupted cash transactions, cheque clearances and customer servicing across 3,678 branches, affecting transactions worth an estimated Rs 15,000 crore, leaving traders, businesses and industrialists held up for important work. The strike drew participation from public sector bank employees and staff from private institutions such as Federal Bank, Karur Vysya Bank and IDBI Bank as well. Organized by Maha Gujarat Bank Employees' Association (MGBEA), the protest was a sharp rebuke to the govt's ongoing labour reforms and economic policies. Janak Rawal, general secretary of MGBEA, said: "This strike is not just about wage issues. It is a wider protest against policies that are hurting the working class and the public sector. Labour rights won over decades are being systematically dismantled in the name of reforms and ease of doing business." You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Key demands included halting privatisation of nationalised banks, urgent hiring, GST removal on life and health insurance, waiver of minimum balance charges and stricter recovery of bad loans.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bharat Bandh cripples public transport in parts of India; railway blockades reported in Bihar, West Bengal
Public transportation was severely affected across several Indian states on Wednesday as the 'Bharat Bandh' protest called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions intensified. The protest is aimed at opposing labour reforms and economic policies introduced by the central government, which the unions allege undermine workers' rights. Police personnel extinguishing a burning effigy as members of Central Trade Unions take out a rally in support of Nationwide General Strike against Union Government's four Labour Code in Kolkata on July 09, 2025.(HT Photo/Samir Jana) The strike targeted disruptions in public transport, government offices, public sector undertakings, banking and insurance, postal services, coal mining, and industrial production. Train tracks blocked in Bihar, Bengal Bihar witnessed disruptions as members of the Rashtriya Janata Dal's students' wing blocked railway tracks at Jehanabad railway station. In West Bengal, agitators obstructed rail services at multiple stations, including Jadavpur, where members of Left-affiliated unions defied police presence and squatted on tracks. Follow Bharat bandh live updates. Bus drivers wear helmets in North Bengal amid tension In a unique safety measure, bus drivers of the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) were seen wearing helmets during duty hours, except in the Darjeeling Hills. While talking to news agency ANI, a bus driver said, 'These people are saying the right thing (referring to the 'Bharat Bandh'), but we have to do our work. We are workers, so we support (the 'Bandh')…We are wearing it (helmet) for protection in case something happens.' Highway blockade in Odisha, shops shut in Kerala In Odisha's Bhubaneswar, members of the Khordha District unit of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) blocked the national highway in support of the Bandh. Meanwhile, in Kerala's Kottayam, shops and malls remained closed as traders joined the protest, backing the trade unions' call. Services run normally in parts of Tamil Nadu Unlike other states, public transport services in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, remained largely unaffected by the Bharat Bandh, with buses continuing to operate as scheduled. CITU leader slams labour codes Left-backed trade unions spearheading the protests in Bengal alleged that the central government was pushing pro-corporate reforms at the cost of labour rights. A large police presence was visible near Jadavpur 8B bus stand, although private and state-run buses continued to operate in parts of the city. CITU General Secretary Tapan Kumar Sen said, 'On the 17-point charter of the demand, the focus was on the demand to completely scrap the labour ports enacted by the government in 2020 to destroy the country's trade union movement. This will be a highly dangerous exercise, and ultimately, the government aims to dismantle the democratic structure. Against that, the trade unions have given a call for a nationwide general strike.' Unions slam government's inaction The strike saw participation from the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), and others including AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, and UTUC. In a joint statement, the unions criticised the Centre for not holding the annual labour conference for over a decade. They alleged the government was pushing four new labour codes to weaken union activity and collective bargaining under the guise of improving the 'ease of doing business'. The unions also blamed central economic policies for rising unemployment, surging prices of essential commodities, and falling wages. They said budgetary cuts in health, education, and civic services had further impacted workers. Among the key demands of the trade unions were the immediate recruitment to vacant government posts and increasing the number of working days and wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). Workers' grievances at the heart of Bharat Bandh today The Bharat Bandh is being projected as a call to restore the rights of organised and unorganised workers, opposing what the unions describe as a coordinated attempt to dismantle hard-won labour protections in India. While participation levels varied across states, the widespread disruption and symbolic gestures—like helmet-wearing bus drivers—reflect a simmering discontent among India's working class. At the time of filing this report, the central government had not issued an official response to the protest. However, observers say the protest may prompt a review of the implementation timeline of the new labour codes.
India Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Will schools and colleges stay open during Bharat Bandh on July 9?
A nationwide protest has been called for July 9, 2025, by leading Central Trade Unions and farmers' organisations in opposition to the government's policies. The strike is expected to impact several key sectors, raising questions amongst students and parents about the status of schools and colleges on that Bharat Bandh is being organised in response to what protestors describe as 'anti-farmer, anti-worker, and pro-corporate' decisions by the government. Their demands include rolling back the privatisation of power distribution companies in Uttar Pradesh, scrapping new labour laws they claim are detrimental to workers, and putting an end to what they see as corporate-favouring estimated 25 crore individuals, including rural labourers and farmers, are expected to participate in the demonstration. Adding to this, over 27 lakh employees from the power sector are reportedly joining the strike to oppose the privatisation of two major electricity distribution companies in Uttar Pradesh. As the protest may affect essential services such as electricity, transport, and banking, many families are wondering if educational institutions will remain SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES CLOSED ON JULY 9?Despite the scale of the protest, there is no official announcement directing schools or colleges to close on July 9. Most educational institutions are expected to operate as usual. However, with potential transport disruptions, students, parents, and teachers are advised to make travel arrangements there be any last-minute directives or closures announced by local authorities or education departments, updates will be provided promptly. Students are encouraged to stay in touch with their respective schools or colleges for the latest information.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
24-hr transport strike from Wed
Guwahati: Thousands of bus, cab, and truck drivers across Assam are set to go on a 24-hour strike, beginning Wednesday, alleging excessive fines, relentless harassment and a slew of anti-worker policies. They will be doing it in solidarity with the country-wide general strike called by Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and National Federations. The 'chakka bandh' will start from 5 am and will likely cause significant disruptions to daily transport services. Residents will have to brace for a possible inconvenience due to this shut down. "On Wednesday, drivers will begin a sit-in in areas of Khanapara, Narengi, Guwahati Club, among others," said Biren Sharma, secretary of the Assam unit of All India Road Transport Workers Federation. Drivers and transport workers have long complained about the crushing burden of limitless fines under the amended Motor Vehicle Act of 2019, the 'hit and run' provision under article 106 (2) of BNS, and unchecked toll and satellite tax collections. The drivers said these laws have severely impacted their livelihoods, pushing them deeper into debt and uncertainty, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Trade Unions defer general strike against Labour Codes to July 9
A meeting of the joint platform of Central Trade Unions (CTUs) in the Opposition camp held in New Delhi on Thursday (May 15, 2025) has decided to postpone the general strike earlier announced to be held on May 20. The CTUs said in a statement that considering the prevailing situation throughout the country after the Pahalgam terror attack, they had decided to reschedule the strike against the implementation of the four Labour Codes to July 9. The CTUs have urged the Centre to ensure measures against those who were resorting to divisive hate campaigns at such a critical time. 'However, most appallingly, even in the midst of such a critical situation prevailing in the country owing to terrorist massacre and consequent developments, the employers' class, actively supported by the governments at the Centre and in many States, is carrying on its onslaughts on workers and employees across establishments. Working hours are being unilaterally increased; statutory minimum wages and social security benefits are being flouted,' the statement said. It added that the Union government had not bothered to meet the CTUs or to hold the Indian Labour Conference despite receiving notices to strike from all corners of the country across sectors. The CTUs asked working people to vigorously continue preparations for the general strike on July 9. It asked the Centre to reciprocate the positive approach of the CTUs and desist from implementing the Labour Codes.
