In what is poised to be one of the largest coordinated labour actions in recent years, over 25 crore workers across various sectors are expected to join a nationwide general strike on Wednesday, July 9. The strike, spearheaded by a coalition of 10 central trade unions, aims to protest against what they describe as the central government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate” policies.
The general strike—referred to as Bharat Bandh—is being organised after months of groundwork by labour unions from both formal and informal sectors. Sectors expected to see major disruption include banking, postal services, insurance, coal mining, state transport, and factories across the country. Farmers and rural workers are also planning to actively participate.
Amarjeet Kaur of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) told news agency PTI that “more than 25 crore workers” are likely to participate, with the rural population joining in large numbers. Harbhajan Singh Sidhu of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha further warned that essential public services will be significantly affected, underlining the strike’s potential impact.
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The strike is centred around a 17-point charter of demands submitted to Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, covering a wide range of labour rights, employment security, and anti-privatisation measures. The trade unions have criticised the government for not holding the Indian Labour Conference for the past ten years and accused it of systematically dismantling worker protections.
At the heart of the protest lies strong opposition to the Centre’s four new labour codes, which the unions argue dilute employee rights, extend working hours, and limit union activity. They contend that the codes are designed to favour corporate interests by weakening the collective bargaining power of workers and shielding employers from accountability.
The unions also denounce the privatisation of public sector undertakings (PSUs), the outsourcing and contractualisation of jobs, and the shift towards casual employment—all of which, they claim, erode job security and undermine the social security framework.
Backing the workers’ strike, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and allied agricultural workers’ organisations have pledged rural mobilisation on July 9. These farmers’ groups, many of whom were part of the historic protest against the now-repealed farm laws, echoed the sentiment that the government’s policies are ignoring the voices of the working and farming classes.
The upcoming strike follows similar large-scale industrial actions, including the nationwide strikes on November 26, 2020; March 28–29, 2022; and February 16, 2024.
As July 9 approaches, the country prepares for widespread disruption as workers, farmers, and unions come together in a united show of dissent, hoping to pressure the government into addressing their long-standing concerns.
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