Bharat Bandh: 30 crore workers join all-India general strike against labour codes, Centre’s policies

New Delhi, Employees and workers associated with a joint forum of central trade unions observed a day-long strike on Thursday to show their "resistance to anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the central government".

The forum has claimed that 30 crore workers are being mobilised for a "general strike" to protest against the new labour codes, among other issues.

Also Read: Bharat Bandh today reason: Why 10 trade unions and 30 crore workers have called for a nationwide strike on February 12 and what are their key demands?


All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur told PTI that the general strike started across the country on Thursday morning, and that she has received reports of the agitation from states, including Assam, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Odisha and Bihar.

She added that processions have started in industrial areas of New Delhi and that traffic on the roads is relatively light.

Kaur said banking, insurance, postal, transport, health, coal and non-coal mines, gas pipeline and electricity sectors will be affected by the strike.

She further said the farmers' unions would also hold protests in their respective areas.

Also Read: Bharat Bandh Today: Check here to know if your state or city is likely to be affected by nation-wide strike, what's closed, what's open

Their immediate demands include the scrapping of four labour codes and rules, withdrawal of the Draft Seed Bill and Electricity Amendment Bill, and the ''Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act''.

The unions are also demanding the restoration of MGNREGA and the scrapping of the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. The joint forum includes INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC.