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?

India is all set for a nationwide strike or Bharat Bandh on February 12, Thursday. Trade unions and farmers have called a Bharat Bandh today to protest the Labour Codes. The protest has been organised to urge the government to address several demands concerning labour rights, privatisation, and wage policies.

State President of the National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU) for West Bengal, Bumba Mukherjee, said, "The trade unions will hold a strike across the country against the new labour codes... The labour codes issued by the Indian government are in the interest of workers. The old laws were from the British era and a strike is a loss to the country. We want talks first... We are protesting against this strike in the interest of workers." (sic)

As many as ten trade unions and 30 crore workers are expected to join the nationwide strike today. The strike also involves banking unions, and amid the strike, uncertainty looms over banking operations. As per a report in TOI, TUCC (Trade Union Co-ordination Centre) has opposed the strike, calling it baseless, ill-conceived, and against national interest.

Bharat Bandh reason

According to a report in Times Now, at least 10 central trade unions have called for Bharat Bandh today to protest new labour codes, privatisation and wage policies. The 24-hour strike opposes reforms, which according to trade unions, weaken workers’ rights and job security, and demands withdrawal of key legislation and stronger employment guarantees. The strike began at midnight on Thursday and will continue for 24 hours, impacting the daily lives of people, the report.

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The trade union coalition has called the strike in protest against four new labour codes that replaced 29 existing labour laws in 2025. Unions contend that these codes weaken workers’ rights and job security by making it easier for employers to dismiss employees without sufficient justification. They have also raised concerns over ongoing privatisation, stagnant wages, and inadequate social security measures.

What are the key demands of the protestors?

Here are the key demands of the protestors and trade unions who have called for a Bharat Bandh:

-Withdrawal of the four new labour codes

-Rollback of proposed legislation, such as the Draft Seed Bill, Electricity Amendment Bill, and the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act

-Enhanced employment guarantees under rural job schemes

-Safeguarding the rights of workers and ensuring better working conditions for all

-Demand for restoration of MGNREGA.

-Call for rollback of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025.

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Who is supporting today's Bharat Bandh?

The nationwide strike has received strong backing from several farmers' organisations, including the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS). These groups have voiced concerns over recent trade agreements that they believe could harm Indian agriculture. The SKM has described the interim India–US trade agreement as a “total surrender” of India’s agricultural sovereignty to multinational corporations, prompting their participation in the Bharat Bandh, Times Now report stated.

Trade unions are actively mobilising workers and supporters, with demonstrations and mass gatherings planned at more than 1,000 locations across the country. Workers, farmers, and agricultural labourers have been urged to come together in protest against the government’s policies.