Ten central trade unions and their affiliate organizations claim that more than 25 crore workers will be on a nationwide strike tomorrow (on 9 July). Important services like banks, insurance, postal, coal mining, highways, construction, and government transport in many states may be affected tomorrow i.e. on 9 July.
Amarjit Kaur of All India Trade Union Congress said - More than 25 crore workers are going to join this strike. Farmers and rural laborers will also support this demonstration.
This strike is against the privatization of institutions and four new labor codes. Its purpose is to oppose the policies of the central government, which the unions consider anti-labor, anti-farmer and pro-corporate.
This strike has also received support from the United Kisan Morcha (SKM) and organizations of agricultural laborers. They will organize large-scale protests, rallies and meetings in rural areas. Apart from this, some opposition parties are also supporting this strike.
It includes employees from many sectors like banks, postal, coal mining, insurance, transport, factories and construction. Apart from this, farmers and rural laborers will also join this protest. This strike will be held across the country. Some important sectors like railways and tourism have been kept out of this strike.
Govt policies are against workers and farmers: Trade unions
Trade unions say that the government's policies are against workers and farmers. They allege that the government is privatizing public sector companies to benefit the corporates, taking away the rights of workers and weakening the rights of workers like strike and collective bargaining through four new labor codes.
Many essential services may be affected
Many essential services may be affected by this strike. Government and cooperative banks may remain closed or services may be limited. Government buses and state transport services may stop, which will cause trouble.
Work in postal services, coal mining and industrial units, insurance sector, LIC and other insurance company offices will be affected.
There is no clear information about schools and colleges that they will remain completely closed. There may be problems in commuting due to the disruption in transport services.
So far, no official statement has come from the government on this strike. But looking at the earlier strikes, the government has often described them as having "limited impact". This time too, tension between the government and the unions may increase, because the unions are demanding changes in the government's policies.
Prakash Kumar Pandey