
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.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
In US, Shashi Tharoor explains why ‘mediation' with India won't work: ‘Pakistan is a revisionist power'
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday dismissed the idea of mediation between India and Pakistan, arguing that it is not viable because the two countries are not equals. He said Pakistan is a 'revisionist power' that harbours terrorists and seeks to disrupt existing geopolitical arrangements. Speaking at the council on foreign relations in Washington, Tharoor said, 'Mediation is not a term that we are particularly willing to entertain. I'll tell you why not. The fact is that this implies, even when you say things like broker or whatever, you're implying an equivalence which simply doesn't exist,' news agency PTI reported. The Congress MP's comments come amid repeated claims by US President Donald Trump that he helped in 'mediating' tensions between India and Pakistan last month. Since May 10, Trump has said multiple times on separate occasions that he helped broker a ceasefire between the two countries after 'a long night' of talks. He has also claimed he offered both sides the prospect of increased trade with the US in exchange for peace. Meanwhile, Tharoor went on to say, "There is no equivalence between a state that is a status quo power that just wants to be left alone by its neighbours and a revisionist power that wants to upset the geopolitical arrangements that have existed for the last three-quarters of a century. There is no equivalence possible in these cases, and in these circumstances, to suggest that you can mediate between two unequals is not possible," he added. When asked how he would describe the American role in the situation, Tharoor said he was 'guessing to some degree' but believed Washington stayed engaged with both sides during the crisis. 'Certainly my government received a number of calls at high levels from the US government, and we appreciated their concern and their interest,' he said. 'Our assumption is that's where, because that's the side that needed persuading to stop this process, that may well have been where their messages really had the greatest effect. But that's guesswork on my part. I don't know what they said to the Pakistanis.' The Congress leader who is leading a multi-party delegation on Operation Sindoor, stressed that India sees no similarity between 'terrorists and their victims.' "There is no equivalence between a country that provides safe haven to terrorism, and a country that's a flourishing multi-party democracy that's trying to get on with its business," he said. Trump, during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday, again said he was 'very proud' of helping to stop the India-Pakistan conflict. 'I spoke to some very talented people on both sides, very good people on both sides,' Trump said, adding that he warned them the US wouldn't make trade deals if the conflict continued. 'You know what, I got that war am I going to get credit? I'm not going to get credit for anything. They don't give me credit for anything. But nobody else could have done it. I stopped it. I was very proud of that.' India and Pakistan conflict that started on May 7 after India's military response to April 22 Pahalgam terror attack ended on May 10 after four days of cross-border drone and missile strikes. India has firmly maintained that the agreement to end hostilities was reached through direct military-to-military talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations.


Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
West Bengal: Monsoon session to begin from Monday
West Bengal Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee is set to introduce a resolution in the coming monsoon session that will begin on Monday, condemning the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, in Jammu and Kashmir and commend the Army's response in the Baisaran valley, after the attack. The resolution will not reference 'Operation Sindoor', sources said. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to participate in the discussion when the resolution is brought to the House on Tuesday. The CM was scheduled to visit New Delhi on Monday, but according to state administration sources her plan has been deferred. 'This House expresses its profound sense of shock and anguish at the barbaric and inhumane attack perpetrated on innocent tourists in the Baisaran valley of Jammu and Kashmir on the April 22, 2025, which resulted in the tragic loss of 26 innocent lives, including three from West Bengal,' the resolution states. 'This House commends the coordinated efforts of the different wings of the Indian Armed Forces in targeting with absolute precision and destroying major terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and places on record its gratitude and appreciation for their relentless efforts in protecting the pride and dignity of the Nation; This House also commends the people of the country and especially of Jammu and Kashmir for their extraordinary display of unity, compassion and resilience in the aftermath of the attack; and … strongly condemns this brutal attack and at the same time salutes the discipline, dedication and courage shown by the different wings of the Indian Armed Forces in combatting militant and terrorist activities and safeguarding the sovereignty of the Nation,' it further stated. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), in the upcoming monsoon session, will move motions on drinking water issues and Ganges river erosion in Malda and Murshidabad districts. The state government is also likely to bring an Other Backward Class (OBC) reservation Amendment bill, proposing to add 76 new castes to the OBC list. The state Cabinet, last Monday, approved adding 76 new castes to the OBC list, bringing the total to 140 ethnic groups, based on recommendations from the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes, an official said. Additionally, Farakka in Murshidabad district will be upgraded to a subdivision. Meanwhile, the BJP plans to introduce a motion on the Murshidabad riots.


Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
India-US trade negotiations hit top gear, American delegation extends Delhi stay
New Delhi: Intensive trade negotiations between India and the US gained momentum, with an American delegation extending its stay in New Delhi until next week as both sides work to finalise an early portion of their bilateral trade agreement, people aware of the matter said on Friday. The American negotiation team led by assistant US Trade Representative Brendan Lynch arrived in India on Wednesday and began face-to-face bilateral talks that stretched late into Thursday, according to one person familiar with the discussions. 'The discussions are positive and progressive, and moving in the right direction,' said one person, describing Friday's conversations as 'continuing in a similar manner.' Originally expected to wrap up their visit after Friday, the American team will now remain in Delhi until Tuesday (June 10), this person added, signalling the hectic nature of the negotiations as both countries race to beat a crucial July 9 deadline. The focus is on achieving common ground for greater market access by eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers before July 9, when an additional 16% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods is set to take effect unless an interim deal is reached, people aware of the matter have previously explained. 'During the visit of the US delegation, both sides are engaged in detailed discussions on various aspects of the proposed BTA in order to forge a pathway to realise the vision for bilateral trade and economic ties as laid down by the leaders of the two countries during their meeting in February 2025,' a second person said. 'An early harvest deal—mostly related to tariff reductions on goods and elimination of non-tariff barriers—could be finalised during the ongoing New Delhi round, provided both sides reach agreement on all matters involving the early deal,' said the person quoted in the first instance. Speaking from Brescia, Italy, on Thursday, Goyal told PTI that negotiations were progressing well and more US officials would reach New Delhi on Friday to join discussions with their Indian counterparts. The negotiations are complex and taking time because of the other American tariffs on specific Indian goods such as steel, aluminium, automobiles and auto components, the first person quoted above added. 'As per the leaders' statement, the deal between the two sovereigns must be mutually beneficial, hence all trade-related issues have to be addressed accordingly,' he said. The tariff disputes have created parallel tracks in India-US relations, with New Delhi maintaining World Trade Organisation complaints against American measures while simultaneously pursuing bilateral solutions through the BTA framework.