Why There Is a Bharat bandh Today? Who Will Join The Strike?

Public services such as banking, highway and construction, insurance and post, are likely to be affected today as over 25 crore workers will join a Bharat Bandh.

The strike is called by a coalition of 10 central trade unions and their affiliates and over 25 crore workers are expected to support the bandh.

Reasons Behind the Strike

The trade unions have called for this general strike in response to what they describe as "anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies" of the central government. They argue that these policies favour employers under the guise of improving business conditions. The unions had previously submitted a 17-point charter of demands to Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya but claim their concerns remain unaddressed, according to a report in PTI.

Amarjeet Kaur from the All India Trade Union Congress stated that farmers and rural workers would also join the protest nationwide. The forum has encouraged all workers to ensure the success of this general strike. Preparations have been underway in both formal and informal sectors to maximise participation.

Unions Which Are Supporting The Bandh

• All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)
• Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
• Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).
• Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS).
• Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA).
• Labour Progressive Federation (LPF).
• United Trade Union Congress (UTUC).
• Support also comes from:

Other Organisations Support

• Samyukta Kisan Morcha.
• Rural worker unions.
• Public sector staff from Railways, NMDC Ltd, and steel industries.

Impact on Services

The strike is anticipated to disrupt services across multiple sectors. With employees from banking, insurance, highway construction, postal services, and coal mining participating, there could be significant delays and interruptions in these areas. The forum has highlighted that preparations have been made in both organised and unorganised sectors to support the strike.

The forum has criticised the government for not holding an annual labour conference for ten years. They accuse the government of implementing four labour codes that undermine collective bargaining rights. Additionally, they claim that economic policies have led to increased unemployment and higher prices for essential goods while reducing wages and social sector spending.

Demands of the Unions

The unions are demanding that the government address unemployment issues by creating more jobs and increasing wages for MGNREGA workers. They argue that instead of focusing on these demands, the government is promoting schemes like the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) to benefit employers.

The forum's statement underscores their dissatisfaction with current economic policies and calls for immediate action to address their concerns. They believe these measures are crucial for improving worker conditions across India.

This large-scale protest reflects growing discontent among workers regarding government policies perceived as detrimental to their interests. As preparations continue, all eyes will be on how this Bharat bandh unfolds and its impact on various sectors nationwide.