Trade unions have called for a Bharat Bandh on July 9th. 250 million workers will participate in the strike. Banking, insurance, postal, and transportation services will be affected. The stock market and emergency services will function normally.
Bharat Bandh: A major Bharat Bandh has been announced in the country for July 9, 2025. This strike has been called by a joint platform of 10 central trade unions. The unions claim that over 250 million workers will participate in this nationwide strike. This includes employees from banks, insurance, postal services, coal mines, transportation, and many other sectors.
Protest Against Government's Labor Policies
The main reason for the strike is the new labor codes being implemented by the central government. Trade unions say that these labor codes weaken the rights of workers. Union representatives say that through these codes, attempts are being made to control collective bargaining, the right to strike, and union activities.
Preparation Underway for Months
Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), informed that this strike has been in preparation for a long time. She claimed that more than 250 million workers will participate in it. Along with this, the United Farmers Front and agricultural labor organizations have also supported the movement and planned widespread protests in rural areas.
What Will Be Closed?
Due to the strike, services in many important sectors of the country will be disrupted. Know which services may be affected:
Banking Services: Work in public and some private banks will be shut down. Customers will not be able to conduct transactions at bank branches.
Insurance Services: Work in insurance company offices is also likely to be affected.
Postal Services: Services may be disrupted at many post office centers due to the strike.
Coal Mining and Industrial Sector: Production in mines and factories will be affected.
State Transport: Bus services may be affected in many states.
What Will Remain Open?
Stock Market: Stock exchanges like NSE and BSE will remain open as usual.
Bullion Market: There will be no impact on the buying and selling of gold and silver.
Emergency Services: Hospitals, ambulances, and essential medical services will continue to operate as before.
Main Demands of the Unions
Trade unions had submitted a 17-point demand letter to the government. The main demands in it are as follows:
- The four new labor codes should be withdrawn.
- Privatization of government and public sector undertakings should be stopped.
- The contract and outsourcing system should be abolished.
- Minimum wages and social security should be ensured.
- Concrete steps should be taken to control inflation and unemployment.
- Workers should be given regular and permanent employment.
