Nationwide General Strike Called by Trade Unions Against Labour Codes Begins at Midnight, Banking, Transport, Trade Sectors to Be Affected

New Delhi: A nationwide general strike called by central trade unions against what they describe as the Modi government’s anti-worker and pro-corporate policies, including the implementation of labour codes, will begin at midnight on Wednesday.

The strike has been organised under the leadership of central trade unions, including the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), and will see participation from farmers, agricultural workers and various organisations. Employees from sectors such as banking, insurance, coal, electricity, defence, as well as central and state government services, are expected to join, with organisers describing the action as a strong warning to the Union government. Left parties, including the CPI(M), and several other opposition parties have extended support to the strike.

In Kerala, the strike is expected to affect industrial, agricultural, commercial and trade sectors. Shops and markets are likely to remain closed, and public transport services are expected to be disrupted. Women, student and youth organisations have also announced protest programs. Demonstrations and meetings will be held at around 650 centres across the State on Thursday, with district- and area-level gatherings scheduled until noon.

Shopping malls and special economic zones are also expected to remain closed. However, essential services such as milk supply, newspaper distribution, hospitals, medical shops, fire and rescue services, and ambulance operations will be exempted from the strike.

The strike comes amid protests against the Union Budget and a recent trade agreement signed by the Union government with the United States, which trade unions have criticised. CITU has announced plans to mobilise 1,000 people in 1,000 centres as part of the protest. Farmers and agricultural workers will also participate, raising concerns over what they allege is the weakening of the employment guarantee scheme.

Trade union leaders said that more than 25 crore workers had participated in the nationwide strike held last July and expressed confidence that participation would surpass that figure this time. Key demands include the withdrawal of the labour codes, opposition to proposed amendments in electricity and seed bills, resistance to 100 per cent FDI in the insurance sector, and a halt to the privatisation of the nuclear energy sector.

The strike has been jointly called by central trade unions including CITU, AITUC, INTUC, HMS, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC. The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) is not participating. Although INTUC is part of the joint strike committee at the national level, it is not coordinating protest activities in Kerala due to political reasons.