Major trade unions and agricultural organizations from all over the country have organized a nationwide strike on July 9. They are resisting the government’s “pro-corporate, anti-farmer, and anti-worker” policies. It is claimed that these decisions are detrimental to laborers and agriculturalists and primarily benefit large corporations.
More than 25 crore employees, including those in public service sectors such as banking, insurance, postal services, and construction, are scheduled to participate in the nationwide strike on Wednesday.
In a statement, the forum of unions has called on workers to ensure “the nationwide general strike is a great success.” It has also indicated that unions in all areas of the formal and informal/unorganized economy are making preparations.
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Why the Bharat Bandh?
In its statement, the unions’ forum claims that the government has failed to hold the annual labour conference for the past decade and persists in making decisions against the interests of workers, seeking to enforce four labour codes that undermine collective bargaining, hinder union activities, and benefit employers under the guise of ‘ease of doing business.’
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The government has abandoned the welfare state status of the nation and is prioritizing the interests of foreign and domestic corporations, which is clearly reflected in its aggressively pursued policies, the forum stated.
Trade unions have been opposing the “privatization of public sector entities and public services, outsourcing policies, contractor employment, and the casualization of the workforce,” it stated.
Services likely to be affected
The countrywide strike, supported by the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and other related organizations, is anticipated to impact public sector bank branches, especially in regions such as West Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, known for their strong union presence.
Although the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has not released a specific announcement for July 9, bank clients may experience service delays, limited staff presence, and possible branch closures, particularly in areas influenced by unions.
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Educational institutions are anticipated to stay operational; however, some regions may experience interruptions due to transportation problems. Private Offices are expected to remain operational. Nonetheless, employee attendance might be influenced by issues related to commuting.
Transportation services like public buses, taxis, and ride-sharing services could encounter interruptions due to planned protest marches and road blockades in multiple cities.
