Bharat Bandh Today: More than 25 crore workers from a variety of industries are anticipated to take part in the statewide strike that the central trade unions have announced for Wednesday. Many agricultural and rural labor organizations also support the strike. According to the unions, they are demonstrating against government policies that benefit large corporations at the expense of workers, farmers, and the impoverished.

1. Over 25 crore individuals from a variety of industries are anticipated to participate in the bandh, according to the organizers. Both organized and unorganized sector workers are included in this, and farmers and other rural laborers are anticipated to play a significant role.
2. INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, SEWA, AIUTUC, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC, and TUCC are among the unions spearheading the walkout. These unions have united to voice their disapproval of the government’s economic and labor policies.
3. Members of Left party unions protested the “pro-corporate” policies of the central government by entering the Jadavpur railway station in West Bengal and blocking the lines, despite the presence of police. Additionally, a foot march through the area was organized by the unions.

4. Both state-run and private buses continued to run despite the ‘Bharat Bandh’, and a strong police presence was observed close to the Jadavpur 8B bus stop. As a safety measure, many bus drivers were seen donning helmets.
5. They particularly criticize the new labor laws, arguing that they will increase working hours, weaken workers’ rights, and make it more difficult for workers to organize unions or go on strike.

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6. Additionally, they are calling for more government jobs, longer workdays, higher MGNREGA wages, and comparable employment programs for cities. The unions have presented the Labour Minister with a list of 17 demands, but they claim the government has not responded seriously.

7. Since the Reserve Bank of India has not listed July 9 as a holiday, banks are expected to stay open. However, if bank employees join the walkout, financial services can still be interrupted. However, there is no planned trading holiday, and stock markets will operate normally.
8. It is anticipated that government offices, schools, and institutions will continue to operate. There has been no formal announcement of closure.
9. However, in many areas, public transportation services can be impacted, which might cause delays for office workers, students, and commuters. Participation rates in previous strikes differed by region, and last-minute announcements had an impact on school operations in some places.

10. The trade unions have previously organized a protest of this kind. Similar strikes, which focused on concerns including job insecurity, the casualization of the workforce, and the privatization of public sector units, took place on November 26, 2020, March 28–29, 2022, and February 16, 2024.