People across India are likely to face widespread disruption in several essential services today as central trade unions and farmers’ organisations have called for a nationwide strike.
Public sector banks, government offices, markets and transport services in many states are expected to be affected as part of the protest.
A joint platform of 10 central trade unions — including INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC — have called for the strike. The unions are protesting against the four labour codes that replaced 29 existing labour laws last year. They argue that the new labour framework weakens workers’ rights, reduces job security and gives employers greater flexibility in hiring and retrenchment.
The unions have also raised concerns over issues such as privatisation of public sector undertakings, wage protection and what they describe as inadequate social security measures for workers.