Joint Forum of Central Trade Unions calls for a nationwide
strike affecting electricity, banking, insurance, transport, health, education,
gas and water supplyNew Delhi: The Joint Forum of Central Trade Unions has called for a nationwide strike on February 12 to protest the central government’s new labour policy. Reports indicate that over 30 crore workers from multiple sectors and organizations are expected to participate, making this one of the largest labour agitations in recent years.
The strike is anticipated to cause severe disruptions in key services, including banking, electricity, transport, health, education, insurance, gas, and water supply, affecting millions across the country.
“The nationwide strike call on February 12 will affect all services in electricity, banking, insurance, transport, health, education, gas and water supply,” said Amarjeet Kaur, general secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), in an official statement to news agencies.
Broad Support Across Trade Unions
The protest has been backed by a wide range of trade unions,
including INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, and UTUC.
Previous similar strikes, such as the nationwide strike on July 9 last year,
saw around 25 crore workers participate, affecting more than 550
districts.
According to the unions, the strike aims to register resistance
against “anti-labour, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policies” of the
central government, following an earlier strike call on January 9.
Sector-Wise Impact Expected
The strike is expected to have a major impact on private
and state transport organizations, mining, and gas pipeline sectors.
Insurance employees will protest against the government’s decision to allow
100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the sector, as well as the
implementation of new labour codes.
Bank unions will see a mixed response. While some
bank unions had already announced a strike on January 27, associations
including the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), All India Bank
Officers Association (AIBOA), and Bank Employees Federation (BEFI) are
expected to join the February 12 agitation.
Overall, it is expected that around 600 districts will feel the impact of this large-scale strike, disrupting the daily operations of essential services and critical infrastructure.
On the Other hand, the government has maintained that labour reforms are intended to simplify compliance and boost employment opportunities, but unions argue that the policy favours corporate interests at the expense of workers’ rights.
