More than 25 crore workers across India will take part in a nationwide general strike, also called a Bharat Bandh on Wednesday. This strike will include workers from banks, insurance, postal services, coal mining, and public transport. Ten central trade unions are leading the action.

According to the unions, the government is pushing “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and anti-national pro-corporate policies.”

Months of Planning Led to This Moment

The unions began planning this strike several months ago. As a result, both formal and informal workers across India have joined the movement.

Amarjeet Kaur of AITUC told PTI, “More than 25 crore workers are expected to take part in the strike. Farmers and rural workers will also join the protest across the country.”

Furthermore, the strike will likely disrupt key services. Harbhajan Singh Sidhu of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha added, “Banking, postal, coal mining, factories, and state transport services will be affected due to the strike.”

Workers' Demands Remain Unanswered

Last year, trade unions submitted a 17-point charter of demands to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

However, the government has not acted on them. Moreover, unions say the government has not held the Indian Labour Conference for 10 years, which shows its disregard for labour rights.

Labour Codes Face Strong Resistance

The unions are also protesting against four new labour codes passed by Parliament. According to them, these laws aim to reduce workers’ rights and benefit employers.

In a joint statement, the trade unions said the codes are meant to “weaken union power, increase working hours, and protect employers from labour law violations.”

Additionally, they accused the government of abandoning social welfare. They said, “The government has abandoned the welfare state status of the country and is working in the interest of foreign and Indian corporates.”

Workers Stand Against Privatisation

Trade unions have also raised their voices against the privatisation of public sector units, as well as the outsourcing and casualisation of jobs.

They believe these moves threaten job security and reduce workers’ rights. The joint forum said the new laws would “cripple trade unions, take away the right to collective bargaining and striking, and decriminalise labour law violations.”

Farmers Extend Solidarity

Meanwhile, support for the strike has grown in rural India. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha and agricultural workers’ unions have backed the protest.

As a result, they plan to mobilise large numbers of farmers and rural workers to show unity with industrial workers.

Unions Have Protested Before

Notably, this is not the first nationwide strike organised by these unions. They earlier launched similar strikes on November 26, 2020, March 28–29, 2022, and February 16, 2024.

Each time, they demanded that the government change its economic and labour policies that they believe hurt workers and farmers alike.