Bharat Bandh live updates: Strike by trade unions gets mixed response

Ten central trade unions including CITU, INTUC, among others have given the call for strike with a 12-point charter of demand. They are protesting against "anti-worker policies of BJP government". Trade union Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) will not be taking part in the strike.
The protestors' demand during the Bharat Bandh includes the Centre to drop the proposed labour reforms. A Bill in this regard was passed and proposes to merge 44 labour laws into four codes -- wages, industrial relations, social security, and safe working conditions.

All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) which comprises about 250 farmers' organisations has also announced to observe 'Grameen Bharat Bandh', on Wednesday. Moreover, services at various bank branches are likely to be affected as hundreds of employees are likely to go on a bank strike across the country on Wednesday.

Here are the live updates:
Employees of Ordnance Cable Factory extended their support to All India strike called by trade unions against the policies of the Central government. These factory workers were protesting against demanded that the ordnance factories should not be handed over to the corporate sector and, rather, it should remain under the control of the Defence Ministry.

The call for a one-day strike called by trade unions across the country failed to cut much ice across Goa, with only banking and public bus transportation services partially hit by the 'Bharat Bandh'.

About 15 lakh power sector employees and engineers across the country went on strike on Wednesday in support of 'Bharat Bandh' call given by 10 central trade unions. Power sector employees are protesting against the Centre's proposed amendments to the Electricity Act as well as other privatisation policies of the government, which they say are against the interest of the consumers and employees. They are also demanding implementation of old pension scheme for all employees.

The all-India shutdown call by trade unions and other organisations on Wednesday showed little impact in this tech city as it turned out to be a normal working day, an official said. "No effect of shutdown in the city though banking operations are affected as bank staff is supporting the trade unions," the official told IANS.

The Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government in Maharashtra on Wednesday extended its support to the 'Bharat Bandh' call by trade unions against the policies of the Central government. "State government supports today's Bharat Bandh call of different trade unions, government at the Centre is an anti-labour government," said Congress leader and Cabinet Minister while speaking to ANI in Mumbai.

The nationwide strike has affected banking services across Telangana but most of the shops and business establishments were open while transport services remained unaffected, claimed PTI.

In Rajasthan, Banking and roadways services were said to be partially affected . Members of the banking sector and LIC participated in the demonstration, Mahesh Mishra, a representative of bank employees union, said. Rajasthan roadways employees affiliated with CITU also participated in the 'Bharat bandh', reported PTI.


Buses, taxis and auto rickshaws stayed off the road in West Bengal, Kerala and some other states though the national capital Delhi and the financial hub Mumbai remained largely unaffected, according to news wire agency Reuters.

Thousands of workers took out 'relay' processions from different parts of Mumbai and other districts in the state and demonstrations will be held all day to protest against the government's policies on privatisation. This is the first-time all major parties in the state - except the Bharatiya Janata Party - have joined the nationwide strike. They include the ruling Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party, Congress, CPI, CPM, PWS, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, Janata Dal and others, Trade Union Joint Action Committee (Maharashtra) Convenor Vishwas Utagi told IANS.

In the backdrop of 'Bharat Bandh' call by the trade unions, a state transport bus driver took to wheels wearing a helmet for his protection here on Wednesday. The West Bengal Transport Department has announced that it will operate 22 per cent additional buses on Wednesday in view of nationwide strike supported by various trade unions against economic policies of the central government.

Rahul Gandhi has hailed the protesters for calling the strike. "The Modi-Shah Government's anti people, anti labour policies have created catastrophic unemployment & are weakening our PSUs to justify their sale to Modi's crony capitalist friends. Today, over 25 crore workers have called for Bharat Bandh 2020 in protest. I salute them," he tweeted.

Bharat Petroleum Refinery employees extend support to All India strike


10 central trade unions go on nationwide strike

Police in Andhra Pradesh arrested leaders of the Left parties and trade unions as they tried to stop state-owned buses and staged road blockade on Wednesday as part of the nation-wide shutdown. Protesters were arrested in Vijayawada, Guntur, Ongole, Visakhapatnam, Kadapa and other towns when they tried to stop buses ofRoad Transport Corporation (RTC) from coming out of the depots.




Utkal University in Odisha on Tuesday declared to postpone the examinations scheduled to be held on Wednesday due to the nation-wide strike called by major trade unions against alleged anti-labour policies of the Central government.

he nationwide shutdown call of the central trade unions against the Centre's policies evoked a mixed response in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Wednesday amidst rains. There was no report of any untoward incident from anywhere in the states.

Shiv Sena on Wednesday extended its support to trade unions' 'Bharat Bandh' call and slammed the central government for its policies and decisions. In its mouthpiece Saamana, Shiv Sena stated that during the "first regime of BJP government, the industry and labour class was badly affected due to its decisions like demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST)."

Uttar Pradesh has been put on high alert following the pan India shut down call given by the central trade unions. The strike is in protest against the 'anti-labour' policies of the government. In Uttar Pradesh, several trade unions have extended support to the bandh call and will be participating in the strike.