Bharat Bandh 9th July 2025: In what is being called one of the largest industrial actions in recent times, over 25 crore workers across India are expected to join a Bharat Bandh on Wednesday. The nationwide general strike has been jointly organised by 10 central trade unions to protest what they call “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and anti-national pro-corporate policies” of the central government.
Workers from a wide range of sectors—including banking, insurance, postal services, coal mining, factories, and state transport—are set to participate, significantly impacting public services throughout the day.
“More than 25 crore workers are expected to take part in the strike. Farmers and rural workers will also join the protest across the country,” said Amarjeet Kaur of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).
“Banking, postal, coal mining, factories, and state transport services will be affected due to the strike,” added Harbhajan Singh Sidhu of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha.
Labour Codes, Privatisation, and Policy Apathy at the Core of the Protest
The protest centres around a charter of 17 demands that unions submitted to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya last year. According to the unions, the government has shown indifference by ignoring their demands and not convening the Indian Labour Conference for the last 10 years.
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In a joint statement, the trade union forum accused the government of aggressively pursuing corporate-friendly reforms, including the four new labour codes. The unions argue these codes:
- Curtail collective bargaining
- Increase working hours
- Decriminalise violations of labour laws by employers
- Weaken trade union activities
The forum further alleged that these moves aim to “suppress and cripple the trade union movement,” pushing India away from its status as a welfare state.
They also highlighted long-standing opposition to policies promoting privatisation, outsourcing, contractorisation, and casualisation of the workforce.
Support for the strike has also come from rural quarters. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha and other agricultural workers’ unions have announced solidarity actions, promising massive mobilisations in rural India.
This is not the first time such industrial action has taken place. Previous Bharat Bandhs were observed on November 26, 2020, March 28-29, 2022, and February 16, 2024, indicating a deepening rift between the government and the labour community.
