On July 9, 2025, over 25 crore workers from various sectors in India will participate in a nationwide strike. This strike, known as a ‘Bharat Bandh,’ is organised by a coalition of ten central trade unions. The protest aims to oppose what the unions describe as ‘anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate’ policies of the Indian government.
The strike will affect major industries, including banking, insurance, postal services, coal mining, transport, and manufacturing. Workers from these sectors have been mobilising support for months, and the unions are calling for widespread participation to ensure the strike’s success.
Amarjeet Kaur, from the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), stated that farmers and rural workers are also gearing up to join the demonstrations. This could lead to significant disruptions in public services and key industries across the country.
Harbhajan Singh Sidhu, representing the Hind Mazdoor Sabha, confirmed that vital sectors like banking and state-run transport services would be particularly impacted. He noted that the strike is a direct response to the government’s inaction regarding a 17-point charter of demands submitted to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya last year.
Union leaders claim that the government has ignored these demands and has not convened the Indian Labour Conference for a decade. They argue this reflects a lack of consideration for the working class.
Among the key grievances is the introduction of four new labour codes. Unions argue that these codes undermine labour rights by extending working hours, reducing collective bargaining power, and weakening trade unions. They also accuse the government of prioritising corporate interests over worker welfare.
In a joint statement, union leaders expressed their concerns about the government’s push for privatisation and outsourcing within public sector enterprises. They argue that the new labour codes will dismantle the trade union movement and limit the right to strike.
The recent labour codes have sparked outrage among workers, who feel their rights are being stripped away. Unions argue that these measures favour big corporations and threaten workers’ livelihoods and job security.
The strike has also gained support from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha and various agricultural workers’ unions. They plan to hold large-scale demonstrations in rural areas to amplify the strike’s impact against the government’s economic policies.
Similar nationwide strikes have occurred in the past, including ones on November 26, 2020, March 28-29, 2022, and February 16 earlier this year. These strikes reflect a growing movement among workers who are increasingly vocal about their rights and demands.
The July 9 strike is expected to be one of the largest in India’s history, uniting workers and farmers in a collective stand against government policies that they believe threaten their livelihoods. The unions are calling for broad participation to make their voices heard, warning that continued inaction could lead to further protests and unrest.
As the date approaches, workers across India prepare to take to the streets. The strike represents a critical moment in the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights, with the potential to reshape labour relations in the country. The outcome of this protest could have lasting implications for the future of work and the rights of workers in India.
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