Bharat Bandh: Services at Risk on July 9 as Workers Protest Government Policies

A significant nationwide strike is scheduled for July 9, spearheaded by over 250 million workers. This action, termed the ‘Bharat Bandh,’ is organized by a collective of ten central trade unions, encompassing sectors such as banking, insurance, postal services, and coal mining. The unions are protesting what they deem as the government’s ‘pro-corporate policies.’ Support for the strike is being gathered across both organized and unorganized sectors, potentially including farmers and rural workers. The core demands of the striking workers are focused on resolving unemployment, including filling job vacancies, creating new employment opportunities, expanding the MNREGA program, and increasing wages. Furthermore, the unions are pushing for an urban version of MNREGA and a review of the Employment Linked Incentive Scheme (ELI). Anticipated disruptions are expected in banking, insurance, postal services, coal mining, and construction. While schools and colleges are expected to remain open, disruptions in government services are possible.