Bharat Bandh Alert: Over 25 crore workers to strike on Wednesday; Banks, transport, post offices and more sectors likely to be hit nationwide
Over 25 crore Indian workers are set to strike nationwide on Wednesday, protesting the government's pro-corporate policies. Key sectors like banking, mining, and transport are expected to face disruptions as unions voice concerns over labor rights, privatization, and wage stagnation. Farmers and rural workers are also joining, amplifying the strike's impact against economic policies.
Public services likely to hit as over 25 crore workers set to go on nationwide strike on Wednesday On Wednesday, more than 25 crore workers across India are expected to go on a nationwide general strike, or Bharat Bandh, in protest against what they call the government's 'anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policies.'The strike has been called by a forum of 10 central trade unions and their associates, and is likely to disrupt services in key sectors such as banking, insurance, postal, coal mining, highways, construction, and even state transport across various states.
The unions say that the government is ignoring workers' concerns while pushing policies that benefit corporates.In a statement, the union forum said preparations are already underway across formal and informal sectors. 'More than 25 crore workers are expected to join. Farmers and rural workers will also support the protest,' said Amarjeet Kaur from the All India Trade Union Congress.According to Harbhajan Singh Sidhu of Hind Mazdoor Sabha, the strike will likely affect:
Banking and financial services
Postal departments
Coal mines and factories
State transport
Public sector enterprises
Unions from NMDC Ltd, steel sector, non-coal minerals, and various state government departments have also announced their participation.The protesting unions say they had earlier submitted a 17-point demand charter to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, but no meaningful action has followed.They accuse the government of:
Not conducting the annual labour conference for 10 years
Trying to weaken trade unions through new labour codes
Increasing working hours and reducing workers' rights
Promoting privatisation and contractual jobs
Ignoring demands for more recruitments and better wages
Offering benefits to employers under ELI (Employment Linked Incentive) schemes, instead of solving youth unemployment The Samyukta Kisan Morcha and agricultural workers' unions are backing the strike. They plan to mobilise support in rural areas and raise voices against the government's economic decisions which, they say, are worsening unemployment, increasing prices, and reducing social welfare spending.Trade unions have carried out similar nationwide strikes in the past:
November 26, 2020
March 28-29, 2022
February 16, 2023 This upcoming strike on Wednesday could be one of the largest yet, both in numbers and impact.As the day approaches, disruptions across essential services are likely, and the protest could become a major moment in the ongoing debate over labour rights, job creation, and economic justice in India.
Inputs from PTI
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Vietjet Bengaluru-Ho Chi Minh City daily service on the cards
Ho Chi Minh City: Flight travel between Bengaluru and Vietnam is set for a major boost with Vietjet, Vietnam's largest private carrier, planning to expand its Bengaluru (BLR) –Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) connection to daily service. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Currently, the airline operates four flights per week between the two cities. The airline is exploring this upgrade keeping in mind the increased interest being shown by Indian tourists, especially Bengaluru's high-spending tech crowd, in various exotic and offbeat destinations of Vietnam. "The response to our Bengaluru-Ho Chi Minh City route has so far been quite encouraging, and we may upgrade our current four-times-a-week service to a daily service in the future," Kieu Duong, Vietjet's international PR officer, told TOI on the sidelines of a tour at the picturesque port city of Vung Tau in Vietnam earlier this month. Tour operators have observed that Vietnamese cities like Ho Chi Minh City combine rich cultural attractions, such as the War Remnants Museum, Saigon Opera House, Independence Palace, and bustling Bến Thành Market, with affordability in accommodation, food, and sightseeing. The direct service connects Bengaluru to SGN in just about 4 hours and 40 minutes, with flyers no longer having to go through the hassles of taking connecting flights from other cities in India or from airports in Southeast Asia. Vietjet currently operates flights to six Indian cities – Bengaluru, New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kochi. The airline is not only looking to tap into rising passenger traffic on the India-Vietnam sector, but is also keen on offering flyers from India easy connectivity to destinations in Australia and Far Eastern and Southeast Asian cities, with Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi as transit hubs. "We're very optimistic about our India operations, and our target is to offer our guests an opportunity to enjoy a slice of Vietnam, while providing seamless connections to Australia, China and other destinations on our network," Kieu Duong added. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The airline's two-class configuration on an Airbus A321 aircraft for the BLR-SGN route includes a premium economy SkyBoss class that allows access to dedicated check-in counters, airport lounge, priority boarding, and choice of onboard food and beverages. (The writer was in Ho Chi Minh City recently on an invitation from Vietjet, Vietnam's private air carrier)
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Govt should phase out trade with China in 10 years, says Akhilesh
1 2 Lucknow: Blaming the BJP-led NDA govt for the collapse of India's foreign policy, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday said govt should phase out trade with China over the next 10 years for backing Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Akhilesh expressed gratitude towards Indian armed forces on behalf of his party and the country but questioned govt's claims on the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent events. "We admire the valour of our forces and congratulate them for the manner in which they bravely executed Operation Sindoor. Had they been given a chance, they could have reclaimed PoK as well," Akhilesh told reporters outside the Parliament House. He said India has received top honours from many nations but during Operation Sindoor none of these countries were seen standing with India and added that this was a failure of the Indian govt's foreign policy. India caters to the economic interests of China by way of trade and so it was understandable that such economic activity cannot be stopped abruptly, he said. "But the central govt should chalk out a blueprint to end all trade ties with China in a phased manner," Akhilesh said. "People of India listen to what the central govt says. Be it the beating of Thaalis during Covid or facing demonetisation, people did what the govt asked them. Now govt should come out with a plan to withdraw trade ties with China and people will abide by it," he said. "The problem is that the rich people are getting everything (from China) but fertilizers for farmers are not coming in," he added. Akhilesh said it was not only about Pahalgam, the Centre was yet to give details to the nation about what had happened with regards to action against the terrorists involved in Pulwama attack. "On Aug 14, 2019, a suicide bomber crashed into a bus carrying CRPF personnel in Pulwama killing at least 40 jawans. The question is why are terror attacks taking place when the BJP-led govts are at the helm. Govt must answer this question," he said.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Op Sindoor debate: Has government answered the unanswered questions?
In this episode of News Today, the big focus is on Operation Sindoor that took place in Lok Sabha on Monday. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar clarified there were no calls between the Prime Minister and President Trump from April 22 to June 17, denying any trade linkage in conversations with the United States. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended Indian forces' bravery and said Operation Sindoor was "paused" as the armed forces had achieved the desired politico-military objectives and asserted that there was "no pressure" to end it. While in a blistering attack on the Centre, the Congress said Home Minister Amit Shah must take responsibility for the lapses that led to the Pahalgam attack and asked the government to clarify how many Indian jets were downed during Operation Sindoor. So, has the government answered the unanswered questions? Watch as experts share their views on the show.
