A nationwide general strike, or "Bharat Bandh," has been called for today, July 9, 2025, by a forum of ten central trade unions and their associates to protest the government's "anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies". It is estimated that over 25 crore workers across various sectors, including banking, insurance, postal services, mining, and construction, are participating in the strike.
The Samyukta Kisan Morcha and a joint front of agricultural workers' unions have also lent their support to the Bharat Bandh, planning extensive mobilization efforts in rural India. The trade unions allege that the four new labor codes passed by Parliament undermine workers' rights by making it more difficult to strike, increasing working hours, and shielding employers from penalties for violating labor laws. They are also protesting the privatization of public sector units, job outsourcing, and the use of contract workers, claiming these practices threaten job security and fair wages.
The unions' demands include the withdrawal of the four labor codes, a halt to the privatization of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and public services, a guaranteed minimum wage and universal social security, a ban on contractualization with a push for permanent jobs, the restoration of the Indian Labour Conference, and increased investment in health, education, and public welfare. Amarjeet Kaur of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) stated that the government has ignored their 17-point demand list and has not convened the annual labor conference in the last 10 years.
The ten trade unions that have called for the Bharat Bandh include: All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC).
The Union Labour Ministry has claimed that about 213 unions, including the RSS-backed Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), have informed them that they will not participate in the strike. However, the CTUs have refuted this claim, stating that the Centre is trying to put pressure on and intimidate the workers, but the strike will still be a success. The BMS general secretary, Ravindra Himte, said that some trade unions are fighting a political battle in the name of workers.
The Tamil Nadu government has warned government employees against participating in the bandh, threatening action under the Tamil Nadu Government Servants' Conduct Rules 1973.
The Bharat Bandh is expected to disrupt services across the country, with potential impacts on banking, postal services, coal mining, factories, and state transport. Private bus operators in Kerala already staged a strike on Tuesday, July 8, in anticipation of the nationwide strike.
