In one of the biggest strikes by workers in India, joined by protesting farmers, several states saw a complete shutdown on Thursday.
As per reports over 25 crore workers across sectors participated in the strike, called by 10 central trade unions and hundreds of worker associations and federations in perhaps the biggest ever coordinated general strike anywhere in the world.
Several states including Kerala, Puducherry, Odisha, Assam and Telangana witnessed a complete shutdown while normal life was partially affected in several other states as workers struck work and took to the streets, protesting against what is being called “anti-worker” and pro-corporate policies and labour laws as well as the new farm bills brought in by the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata party government.
Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh reported 100% strike, the statement said.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh stayed away from the joint action.
The strike saw stoppage of work in banks, financial services, various government services, transport, steel units, port and docks, telecommunication services, plantations, power generating units, coal and other mines, oil and natural gas production units, and millions of other miscellaneous industries.
Government offices, railways, post and telegraph services and scores of other government offices are also likely to be affected as employees will hold solidarity demonstrations.
Several lakh women working as Anganwadi workers/helpers, healthcare workers, mid-day meal cooks and those employed in other government run schemes have also gone on strike.
“Reports of successful strike in coal and copper mines, including other mineral resource mines, have been received. The employees of postal, telecom and steel sector were also in action and gramin dak sevaks observed 100 per cent strike,” the statement said.
Farmers from across the country also marched to Delhi in protest against the farm laws and in solidarity with workers, braving arrests, teargas, water cannons and numerous barricades on the way, especially in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh .
BJP-aligned Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) is not participating in the strike.