The working class of India spoke with one voice. It was a cry for justice, safety, dignity, and fair wages’
NEW DELHI – In a powerful display of unity and resistance, lakhs of workers across the country joined the all-India general strike on Wednesday (July 9), demanding the repeal of the four contentious Labour Codes and an end to the Narendra Modi Government’s “pro-corporate and anti-worker” policies.
The Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) National Committee hailed the strike as a historic success and urged greater unity in the working-class movement.
In a statement released late on Wednesday, IFTU saluted workers from all sectors—organised and unorganised—and commended the collective efforts of central trade unions, state-level federations, and independent workers’ organisations that helped turn the strike into a nationwide event. The federation also extended special thanks to the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) for its coordinated protests in solidarity with the workers’ cause.
“Today’s strike was not just a protest—it was the working class of India speaking with one voice. It was a cry for justice, safety, dignity, and fair wages,” said T Srinivas, General Secretary of IFTU.
Message from the Streets
The strike was called to oppose the implementation of the Centre’s four Labour Codes—legislation that trade unions say undermines workers’ rights to job security, collective bargaining, and regulated work hours. Protesters also demanded recognition of ASHA, Anganwadi, and scheme workers as government employees, a minimum monthly wage of ₹26,000, enforcement of the eight-hour workday, and workplace safety and strict implementation of labour laws.
Besides, they also demanded universal coverage under ESI, PF, and pension, and protection of public sector undertakings (PSUs) from privatisation.
The strike also served as a memorial for dozens of workers who lost their lives in industrial accidents in recent months, particularly in chemical factories in Delhi and Telangana and fireworks units in Tamil Nadu.
“The working class is outraged at the widespread non-implementation of safety measures under the Factory Act,” IFTU noted. “These deaths are a result of criminal neglect, and our protest is also a promise of justice for the victims’ families.”
Massive Participation
Workers turned out in large numbers, from the coal belts of Telangana to the jute mills of West Bengal and from public transport hubs to private industrial areas in Delhi.
In Coal India, operations at Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) came to a complete halt. The Singareni coal mines in Telangana witnessed full participation of permanent and contractual workers.
In Delhi, workers organised coordinated marches and meetings across industrial areas such as Mongolpuri, Okhla Phase 2, and Mayapuri.
In West Bengal, IFTU-led workers enforced the strike from as early as 5 am in jute mills, including India Jute, Dalhousie, and Angus mills. Factories like Jayshree Textiles and Hindustan Glass also observed shutdowns.
“In Dankuni, we saw full participation even from private sector food giants like Anmol Biscuits, while in Bhagwati, police had to be deployed as workers picketed factory gates,” said an IFTU representative from West Bengal.
Grassroots Momentum
The strike was not limited to formal workplaces. Thousands of workers from the unorganised sector—loading/unloading workers, auto drivers, e-rickshaw operators, private security guards, and domestic workers—took to the streets across India.
In Andhra Pradesh, rallies were held in 38 locations across 13 districts. In Vijayawada, over 3,000 workers—including municipal, ASHA, and Hamali workers—marched in protest. In Eluru, a rally of 1,600 workers was dominated by IFTU-affiliated unions. In Vizianagaram, a jute mill with over 2,000 workers shut down completely.
In Odisha, workers blocked roads in Koraput, and sanitation workers staged demonstrations in Berhampur, Ganjam, and Kandhamal. Outsourced hospital workers joined in large numbers.
In Punjab, major rallies were held in Nawashahr, Abhohar, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, and Ropar, with construction workers, street vendors, and factory workers taking part. Contract workers of Swaraj Mazda in Ropar staged protests under the IFTU banner.
In Telangana, IFTU reported strike actions in 26 of the 33 districts. A rally in Hyderabad saw 2,000 participants, coordinated by multiple unions.
In Bihar, a parallel agitation against the voter verification process merged with the workers’ strike. In Kehalgaon, NTPC workers—both regular and contractual—wore black badges. In Sasaram, IFTU joined AIKMS and SKM in a street demonstration.
Repression Condemned
IFTU condemned the arrests of SKM leaders, including AIKMS Vice President Sushanto Jha, in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district during a joint SKM-trade union protest. The federation also criticised the Kerala Government’s “No Work No Pay” order, labelling it as “punitive and unjust.”
“We condemn all state and central government actions against striking workers. Such repression only strengthens our resolve,” the statement read.
Calling the July 9 strike a significant milestone in the working-class movement, IFTU urged all central trade unions to overcome sectarianism and build a broad-based united front.
“This is just the beginning,” said Srinivas. “The Centre may have tried to sneak in labour code changes in Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Gujarat—but the resistance is building. We must now prepare for bigger and more sustained struggles.”
IFTU concluded its statement with a call to deepen the movement in every sector, defend labour rights on the ground, and carry forward the momentum built by the success of this historic strike.
