Today, major trade unions and farmer groups across the country have declared a Bharat Bandh. A joint platform of 10 central trade unions of the country, along with associated labour and farmer organisations, has called for a Bharat Bandh on July 9 to register their disapproval of the policies of the central government, anti-labour, anti-farmer and pro-corporate. These unions allege that the government is pushing economic and labour reforms that weaken workers’ rights, suppress collective bargaining and worsen job conditions, all in the name of ease of doing business.

Call for Bharat Bandh?

Reason for calling Bharat Bandh, Labour policies that harm worker safety. Emphasis on four new labour codes that reduce rights such as collective bargaining and strike. Rising unemployment and inflation. Cuts in healthcare, education and civic amenities. Government recruiting retired people instead of giving jobs to youth. No workers’ conference in 10 years. Attempts to deprive migrant workers. Cracking down on protests using public safety bills are all key issues of the unions due to which this shutdown has been called.