India is set to witness a massive nationwide general strike ‘Bharat Bandh’ on Wednesday, July 9. As over 25 crore workers across key sectors prepare to walk off the job. The strike is being called by a joint platform of 10 central trade unions and supported by workers from the public and private sectors alike.
Why the Bharat Bandh?
The protest is aimed at pressuring the central government to roll back what unions call “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policies.” At the heart of this bandh is a 17-point charter of demands, submitted to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya last year.
Major demands include:
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Withdrawal of the four new labour codes
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Minimum wage guarantees for all workers
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Protection of employment
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Restoration of the Indian Labour Conference, which hasn’t been held for over a decade
In a joint statement, the unions said,
” 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 forum is saying that the four new labour laws passed by the government are unfair to workers and trade unions. According to them, these laws:
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Try to weaken the power of trade unions (the groups that fight for workers’ rights).
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Increase working hours, making employees work longer.
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Take away the right to protest or strike when something is wrong.
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Remove punishments for employers who break labour laws, making it easier for companies to get away with mistreating workers.
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Make it harder for workers to negotiate better pay or working conditions as a group.
“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 stated.
Who Is Participating?
The strike will see participation from a wide range of sectors:
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Banking and financial services
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Postal services
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Coal mining and factories
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State transport and public sector units
Workers from organisations like NMDC and state-run steel and mineral enterprises have also confirmed their participation.
“The protest would see strong participation across industries, both public and private.” Harbhajan Singh Sidhu from the Hind Mazdoor Sabha
Participating trade unions include:
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Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
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All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)
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Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS)
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Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)
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All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC)
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Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC)
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Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA)
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All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU)
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Labour Progressive Federation (LPF)
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United Trade Union Congress (UTUC)
Will Banks Be Closed?
Although banking unions have not issued a separate confirmation, bandh organisers have said public sector banks and cooperative banking employees are joining the strike. This may impact:
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Branch services
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Cheque clearance
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Customer support
What Will Be Affected?
The strike is expected to disrupt public transport, coal mining, postal operations, factories, and state services. Commuters in several cities may face:
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Delays in public buses and taxis
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Impact on app-based cab services
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Road demonstrations and protest marches
Will Schools, Colleges, and Offices Stay Open?
Yes, schools, colleges, and private offices are expected to remain open. However, due to transportation issues, normal operations in some areas may face disruptions.
📌 Past Strikes by Trade Unions
This is not the first such strike. Similar nationwide general strikes were held on:
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November 26, 2020
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March 28–29, 2022
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February 16, 2023
The unions have stated they will continue their protest until their demands are addressed.
As the nation braces for another major industrial action, the Bharat Bandh reflects growing tensions between labour groups and government policy decisions. While public inconvenience is expected, the core message remains focused on labour rights, job security, and economic justice.
