12 February,2026 01:27 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Members of a joint forum of central trade unions shout slogans during the strike in Patna. Pic/PTI
Employees and workers associated with a joint forum of central trade unions observed a day-long strike on Thursday to protest against what they described as "anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the central government".
The forum claimed that around 30 crore workers were mobilised for the "general strike", primarily to oppose the four new labour codes, among other issues.
All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur told PTI that the strike began across the country on Thursday morning. She said reports of the agitation had come in from states including Assam, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Odisha and Bihar. Processions had started in industrial areas of New Delhi, and traffic on the roads was relatively light, she added.
Kaur said banking, insurance, postal, transport, health, coal and non-coal mines, gas pipeline and electricity sectors would be affected by the strike. She further said farmers' unions would also hold protests in their respective areas.
The immediate demands of the unions include scrapping of the four labour codes and rules, withdrawal of the Draft Seed Bill and Electricity Amendment Bill, and the "Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act". They are also demanding restoration of MGNREGA and scrapping of the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025.
The joint forum includes INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) clarified that markets across the country were open and business was proceeding as usual. National Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal, who is also a Member of Parliament, said no major national traders' organisation had called for a Bharat Bandh.
"No major national traders' organisation has called for a Bharat Bandh. Therefore, all commercial establishments, markets, wholesale and retail trade centres across India will remain fully open, and routine business operations will be carried out without disruption," Khandelwal said.
He added that the trading community formed the backbone of the nation's economy and had always ensured that consumers did not face inconvenience. "The organised trade sector does not support any such bandh," he said, urging the public not to pay attention to rumours or misleading information.
Public sector banks, government offices, transport services and markets in several states are likely to be partly affected due to the strike. Some schools and colleges may also remain closed in protest-hit areas depending on local conditions. The strike call has been given by a joint platform of central trade unions, with strong backing from farmer groups opposing the new labour codes and related policies.
Tamil Nadu-Kerala
As part of the nationwide general strike (Bharat Bandh) observed across several states on Thursday, government bus services between Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been completely suspended, causing inconvenience to passengers travelling between the two states.
West Bengal
In West Bengal, the call for a nationwide strike failed to evoke any response in West Bengal as vehicles plied normally and state government and private offices recorded usual turnout.
Goa
The nationwide strike called by trade unions against the Centre's policies on Thursday drew a mixed response in Goa, with banking operations affected while essential services remained undisrupted.
Punjab
In Punjab, transport workers have joined the strike in Moga. Bus services have been affected in parts of the state. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regime has extended support to the nationwide strike called on February 12 by the central trade unions and farmer bodies.
(With PTI and IANS inputs)
