Latest news with #NationwideGeneralStrike
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.
Hans India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
CITU Urges Massive Participation in Nationwide General Strike on July 9 Against Anti-Labour Policies
Gadwal: The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has called upon all sections of the working class to actively participate and make the Nationwide General Strike on July 9, 2025, a grand success. The call was issued by CITU district president A. Venkataswamy and secretary V.V. Narasimha, who urged workers across sectors to oppose the anti-labour policies of the central government. Speaking at the CITU district office in Gadwal on Wednesday, the leaders released a special General Strike Booklet in preparation for the strike. The event was attended by trade union members and activists from various sectors, including workers from Sanghala and Marlapalli villages. The leaders stated that this strike is being organized nationwide following a joint call by central trade unions against the labour law amendments introduced by the central government. They emphasized that the hard-earned labour rights achieved through decades of struggle and sacrifice are being undone in the name of 'four labour codes.' These new laws, they claimed, are designed to take away the fundamental rights of workers, including the right to form unions. They criticized the central government for amending labour laws to favor corporate interests, arguing that the amendments aim to make union registration more difficult and isolate workers from union activities. 'The Centre is trying to expand capitalist exploitation by weakening labour protections and silencing workers' voices,' they warned. CITU accused the central government of pushing pro-corporate policies under the guise of "Ease of Doing Business," which in reality aim to destroy trade unions, deny minimum wages, and remove social security schemes for workers. They alleged that the Centre is dividing the working class through political and communal strategies while handing over national wealth to corporate forces. The leaders reiterated that the July 9 strike is a united resistance against these anti-worker, pro-corporate policies. They called upon not just industrial workers but also farmers, agricultural labourers, sanitation workers, construction workers, mid-day meal workers, ASHA workers, and hostel staff to join the strike in large numbers and make their voices heard. Among those present at the event were: Uppair Narasimha, CITU District Vice President, Thimmappa, Gadwal Mandal President of VOEL Union, Ananda Raju, District General Secretary of Hostel Workers' Union, Raju and Padma, Government School Sanitation Workers, Ravi, Sharabanna, and Devanna, Gram Panchayat Workers, Shiva and Harikrishna, Building Construction Workers, Sunitha and Govindamma, Mid-Day Meal Workers, Shivamma and Suseela, ASHA Workers, Rameshwaramma and Saraswati, Hostel Workers, Ramakrishna and Beesanna,and Farmers. The CITU leaders concluded by urging all sectors to stand united and ensure that the July 9 general strike becomes a strong message of worker solidarity and resistance to exploitation.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Trade unions postpone nationwide strike to July 9 amid India-Pakistan tensions
have postponed the initially scheduled for May 20, moving it to July 9 in light of recent developments following the India-Pakistan conflict. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Sectoral Federations and Associations held on Thursday, according to an official statement. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The platform cited the evolving national situation, particularly after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 innocent lives, and the subsequent combat actions undertaken by the Indian Armed Forces. The unions acknowledged these events as serious developments that warranted a responsible and patriotic response, according to news agency PTI. "After due consideration of the prevailing situation throughout the country, the Joint Platform, as an integral part of the responsible patriotic citizenry, decided to re-schedule the Nationwide General Strike from 20th May to 9th July, 2025," the statement read. The strike is aimed at opposing the implementation of the Labour Codes and pressing for other legitimate demands concerning workers, farmers, and the general public. The original plan had included demonstrations across state capitals, district centres, and workplaces on May 20. While the date has now changed, the unions reiterated their concerns over ongoing labour issues. The statement also criticized employers and governments for continuing anti-worker actions despite the national crisis. It alleged that working hours are being extended unilaterally, statutory minimum wages and social security protections are being violated, and contract workers are being retrenched without justification. 'These are nothing but heinous attempts to implement notorious Labour Codes through the backdoor,' the unions said, emphasizing that their struggle will continue despite the postponement.
