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The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Bharat Bandh partially disrupts public services in Visakhapatnam
Public services were partially disrupted across the city on Wednesday due to the Bharat Bandh, called by 10 central trade unions. Protesters took to the streets, blocking public transport, and forcing closure of several government offices, banks, and schools. Some private and corporate schools also voluntarily declared a holiday. The strike was led locally by CITU district general secretary R.K.S.V. Kumar, AITUC district president M. Manmadha Rao, and INTUC district general secretary B. Nagabhushanam. Senior leaders, including CITU state general secretary Ch. Narasinga Rao, AITUC national vice- president D. Adinarayana, and INTUC State general secretary Mantri Rajasekhar, strongly criticised the Union Government's policies and reforms. Speaking at the rally, Mr. Narasinga Rao alleged that the Centre's economic reforms were aimed at weakening the public sector and eroding workers' rights. 'The government is prioritising corporate interests and undermining the public sector, which is a dangerous trend for the country,' he said. A major demand raised was to stop the privatisation of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), particularly the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. Members of the Insurance Corporation Employees Union (ICEU), affiliated with the All India Insurance Employees Association, also joined the one-day strike. Employees from 21 branches in the Visakhapatnam division participated in the protest. Former MLC M.V.S. Sarma, addressing the gathering, condemned the government's push to privatise banks, LIC, steel plants, and other key PSUs. He termed the proposal to raise FDI in insurance to 100% as 'harmful' and criticised the imposition of GST on life and health insurance premiums. He also demanded the immediate repeal of the newly introduced four labour codes, calling them 'regressive' and 'anti-worker.'
Deccan Herald
09-07-2025
- Business
- Deccan Herald
Bharat Bandh: 25 crore workers join strike that sees varying impact across states
While Sangh-affiliated BMS kept itself away from the strike, the 10 central trade unions – INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC – called for the strike and said it impacted various sectors, including coal, banking, public sector enterprises and industrial sectors.
Economic Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Bharat Bandh 9 July: What's open, what's closed? Will schools, banks, offices, train services be affected as 25 cr workers go on strike tomorrow?
Synopsis Bharat Bandh Tomorrow: A nationwide strike, "Bharat Bandh," is scheduled for July 9, 2025, organized by trade unions and farmer groups protesting pro-corporate and anti-worker government policies. The strike anticipates participation from over 25 crore workers across various sectors, potentially disrupting banking, transport, and public services. Concerns include labor law changes, privatization, and rising rural distress, fueling widespread opposition. Bharat Bandh 9 July 2025 A nationwide strike has been called on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, by a joint platform of 10 central trade unions along with farmers' and rural workers' organisations. The protest, branded as "Bharat Bandh," aims to oppose the government's policies which the unions describe as pro-corporate and anti-worker. Organisers expect over 25 crore workers to participate across the formal and informal sectors, with farmers and agricultural labourers joining from rural unions involved in the protest include major national bodies such as: 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) The strike is expected to affect multiple sectors, including: Banking and financial services Postal departments Coal mining and factories State transport services Public sector units and government departments Workers from companies like NMDC and various state-run entities in the steel and mineral sectors have confirmed their participation. Harbhajan Singh Sidhu from Hind Mazdoor Sabha said the protest would see "strong participation across industries and services, both public and private."However, banking unions have not saperately confirmed about disruption of services due to bandh, but as per bandh organisers financial services will be affected. Bandh organisers said that the strike includes employees from public sector banks and cooperative banking sectors, which may impact banking operations such as branch services, cheque clearance, and customer support in many regions. Schools, colleges, and private offices are expected to remain open on July 9. However, normal operations may face disruptions in some regions due to transport issues. Public buses, taxis, and app-based cab services could be affected as trade unions and allied groups hold protest marches and road demonstrations in several cities. This may lead to delays or cancellations in local travel and logistical operations. Daily commuters are advised to plan ahead and expect possible traffic diversions and longer travel of now, there is no official announcement about a nationwide railway strike on July 9. However, since large-scale protests and road blockades are expected in several parts of the country, train services may experience delays or disruptions in certain unions have not formally joined the Bharat Bandh , but past such strikes have seen protestors holding demonstrations near railway stations or on tracks, especially in states with strong union presence. This could lead to localised train delays or security measures being stepped up by are likely to deploy additional security personnel around key railway hubs to ensure smooth operations and avoid major disruptions. Passengers are advised to check train schedules and plan their travel trade unions claim that their concerns have been consistently ignored. They submitted a 17-point charter of demands to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya last year, but say there has been no serious response."The government has abandoned the welfare state status of the country. It is working in the interest of foreign and Indian corporates, and it is evident from the policies being pursued vigorously," the union forum allege the government: Has not conducted the Indian Labour Conference in the last ten years Is pushing four new labour codes that weaken unions and increase working hours Is promoting contractual jobs and privatisation Is ignoring demands for more public sector recruitment and wage hikes Is offering incentives to employers without tackling youth unemployment Farmer groups and rural labour organisations have also extended their support. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha and agricultural workers' unions plan to mobilise villagers and protest against economic decisions that they claim are worsening rural allege that government actions are causing: Rising unemployment Higher prices of essential goods Cuts in health, education, and welfare spending Additional concerns raisedThe unions have also raised alarms over: Alleged misuse of constitutional institutions Laws like the Public Security Bill in Maharashtra, which they claim aim to criminalise protests Attempts to disenfranchise migrant workers through voter list revisions in Bihar Threats to citizenship rights According to the forum, the four new labour codes passed by Parliament are designed to 'suppress and cripple the trade union movement, increase working hours, snatch workers' right to collective bargaining, right to strike, and decriminalise violation of labour laws by employers.'The organisers say the July 9 Bharat Bandh will be a unified show of resistance from both industrial and rural India.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bharat Bandh today: Public services likely to be hit; 10 things to know about nationwide strike
(ANI file photo) NEW DELHI: The central trade unions have announced a nationwide strike for Wednesday, July 9, with over 25 crore workers from various sectors expected to participate. The strike is also supported by several rural and agricultural labour organisations. The unions say they are protesting against government policies that help big businesses but hurt workers, farmers, and the poor. Bharat Bandh : Here are 10 things to know - The organisers expect more than 25 crore people across various sectors to take part in the bandh. This includes workers from both organised and unorganised sectors, with strong participation expected from farmers and rural workers as well. The unions leading the strike include INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, SEWA, AIUTUC, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC, and TUCC. These unions have come together to raise concerns about the government's labour and economic policies. They are especially critical of the new labour codes, which they claim will weaken workers' rights, extend working hours, and make it harder to form unions or go on strike. They are also demanding more government jobs, an increase in MGNREGA wages and workdays, and similar employment schemes for urban areas. The unions have submitted a 17-point demand list to the Labour Minister, but they say there has been no serious response from the government. Banks are expected to remain open, as July 9 is not a holiday listed by the Reserve Bank of India. However, banking services could still be disrupted if bank workers join the strike. On the other hand, stock markets will function as usual, and there is no scheduled trading holiday. Schools, colleges, and government offices are expected to remain open as well. No official closure has been announced. However, public transport services may be affected in many regions, which could lead to delays for commuters, students, and office-goers. In past strikes, participation levels varied by location, and some areas saw last-minute announcements affecting school operations. This is not the first time the trade unions have organised such a protest. Similar strikes were held on November 26, 2020, March 28–29, 2022, and February 16, 2024, focusing on issues like privatisation of public sector units, job insecurity, and the casualisation of the workforce. The unions also claimed that government departments were increasingly hiring retired personnel instead of young professionals, citing examples from the Railways, NMDC Ltd, the steel sector, and education services. They argue this trend is harmful in a country where 65 percent of the population is under 35, and unemployment is highest among those aged 20 to 25.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bharat Bandh 9 July: Reason, time, who's protesting and why - all you need to know about the all India strike today
A major nationwide strike called Bharat Bandh is planned for Wednesday. A coalition of 10 central trade unions , along with farmers' and rural workers' organisations, is organising a nationwide general strike. Originally planned for May 20, the strike was deferred to July 9 due to the 'prevailing situation' across the country. The organisers expect participation from over 25 crore workers across formal and informal sectors. In addition to the strike, unions will hold large demonstrations and rallies in state capitals, district headquarters, and major industrial hubs on July 9. Here's a detailed look at what is happening, who is involved, why the strike has been called, and how it could impact daily life across India. When and where will Bharat Bandh happen? The Bharat Bandh is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9, 2025. Live Events The strike will have nationwide coverage and is expected to affect both urban and rural areas across India. Key locations include industrial clusters, state capitals, district centres, and public sector offices. Who has called Bharat Bandh? The strike is being led by a joint platform of the following 10 major trade unions: 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) Additionally, farmer unions under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and various agricultural workers' organisations have pledged support. The only major central union not supporting the bandh is the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), which is affiliated to the RSS. "Farmers and rural workers will also join the protest across the country," AITUC's Amarjeet Kaur told PTI. "The government has ignored our 17-point demand list and hasn't even called the annual labour conference in the last 10 years." Why are workers going on strike? According to the unions, the strike is a response to policies they describe as pro-corporate, anti-worker, and harmful to farmers and ordinary people. They are protesting the implementation of the four labour codes, which they say undermine collective bargaining rights, increase working hours, make it harder to form or sustain unions, and decriminalise violations of labour laws by employers. The unions also oppose growing contractualisation and privatisation of jobs and the lack of increase in public sector recruitment or wages despite rising costs of living. Union leaders have said that there has been no serious government response to their 17-point charter of demands, which includes scrapping the new labour codes, expanding the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to 200 days of work per year, reinstating the old pension scheme, and strengthening protections for workers in both organised and unorganised sectors. Farmers' groups have also joined the protest, arguing that government policies have worsened rural distress. They point to rising unemployment, high prices of essential goods, and cuts in health, education, and welfare budgets as reasons for their support. Additionally, unions have raised concerns over what they describe as misuse of constitutional institutions to target dissent, new state laws restricting protests such as the Public Security Bill in Maharashtra, attempts to disenfranchise migrant workers in Bihar, and broader threats to citizenship rights. What's likely to be affected? Organisers have informed that the Bharat Bandh could disrupt a wide range of services. Banking and financial services are likely to be affected, as public sector bank employees and cooperative banking staff are expected to participate, which may impact branch operations, cheque clearing, and customer services. Public transport could also be hit, with state buses, taxis, and some app-based cab services facing disruptions or delays. Mining and heavy industry, including coal, steel, and mineral sectors, have confirmed that many workers will join the strike. Government offices and public sector units may see reduced staffing and slower operations. However, schools, colleges, and most private offices are expected to remain open, but commuters should be prepared for transport delays. So far, there is no formal announcement of a railway strike, but protests near stations could cause localised disruptions.
