Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 9: A massive nationwide general strike is set to bring banking and several other key services to a standstill on Wednesday, as millions of workers from public and private sectors prepare to walk off the job in protest against the government’s economic and labour policies.
The coordinated strike action has been called by a coalition of 10 central trade unions, including INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, TUCC, AIUTUC, and SEWA, among others. Their demands range from the rollback of labour law reforms to halting privatisation of public sector institutions and addressing rampant job vacancies.
Crucial sectors such as banking, insurance, coal, postal services, construction, and state-level transportation are expected to be significantly impacted across several states.
Public sector lender Bank of Baroda has issued a formal notice via a stock exchange filing, warning customers that normal banking operations may be affected if its employees participate in the strike.
In parallel, top banking unions including the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA), and Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) have informed the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) of their participation in the July 10 strike.
The protesting unions have accused the government of pushing corporate-friendly policies while ignoring the interests of workers. They are demanding immediate action on filling vacant government posts, expanding employment under MNREGA, and reversing policies they say promote large-scale privatisation.
Originally scheduled for May, the strike was deferred in view of national events. Now, the unions are intensifying pressure, urging workers to mobilise in large numbers to ensure what they are calling a “grand success”.
The strike call is backed by a 17-point charter of demands submitted last year to Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. These include wage increases, job security, and stronger social safety nets.
With wide participation expected from across the financial and industrial sectors, Wednesday’s strike is likely to cause noticeable disruption across India.