Nationwide strike on July 9: 10 trade unions protest Modi govt's 'anti-worker, anti-farmer' policies
New Delhi: Ten central trade unions have announced a nationwide general strike on Wednesday, July 9, to protest against what they call the Narendra Modi government's "anti-worker, anti-farmer and pro-corporate policies." The unions are opposing the implementation of four new labour codes and the recently introduced Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme.
The striking unions include INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC. They have also condemned the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, calling it a “conspiracy to strip working people of their voting rights and citizenship,” thereby weakening their collective bargaining power.
Trade union leaders warned that in states like Bihar, Kerala, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, the strike could take the form of a complete bandh, with support from Opposition parties, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, and other allied groups.
Originally scheduled for May 20, the strike was postponed following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
At a joint press conference on Monday, AITUC General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur criticised the Centre for inviting unions for a last-minute meeting “without any agenda.” She said the government has been aware of the strike call and charter of demands since March 18 but made no effort for meaningful dialogue.
She further alleged that the Modi government is pushing labour codes through state-level rulemaking without addressing workers’ concerns. Despite this, resistance from workers has prevented private companies from implementing measures like longer working hours, she added.
CITU General Secretary Tapan Sen condemned the ELI scheme as a “system of slavery” that seeks to replace permanent workers with temporary interns and apprentices. He questioned the government's ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) narrative, pointing out the declining industrial production.
A statement from the Platform of Central Trade Unions noted that the government has not convened the Indian Labour Conference in the last decade and continues to sideline worker interests, promoting ease of business for employers at the cost of workers' rights.
Key demands include:
- Rollback of the four new labour codes
- End to privatisation and outsourcing in public services
- Restoration of trade union rights, including the right to strike
- Reinstatement of the Indian Labour Conference
- Action against rising casualisation and contractualisation of labour
- Withdrawal of the ELI scheme
The unions allege the government’s actions are designed to weaken collective bargaining, decriminalise employer violations, and criminalise union activity, marking a serious threat to India’s labour movement.
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Four members of a family killed as autorickshaw collides head-on with truck
Ranchi (PTI): Four members of a family were killed and a woman was severely injured in a head-on collision between an autorickshaw and a truck in Ranchi, police said on Thursday.
The accident occurred at Chamghati on the Ranchi–Purulia Road, under the jurisdiction of Angara police station, on Wednesday night.
"Four members of a family, including two women, were killed in the incident. One woman sustained serious injuries and has been admitted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi for treatment," Angara police station in-charge Hiralal Sah told PTI.
According to police, the autorickshaw was en route to Ranchi when it collided head-on with a truck travelling towards Muri.
Preliminary investigations revealed the truck driver lost control of the vehicle, leading to the fatal collision. The impact caused the truck to overturn, however, the driver fled the scene, police said.
Police said the victims were identified as Seikh Gayasuddin, who was driving the auto-rickshaw, his mother Ayesha Khatun, his wife Joraddin, and his son Seikh Aman.
The family resided in Kantatoli area of Ranchi. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem. The police said further investigation is underway.
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