Kolkata, February 12 A nationwide strike called by central trade unions on Thursday failed to have any impact in West Bengal, as vehicles continued to operate normally and state government and private offices recorded their usual attendance.
A joint forum of 14 central trade unions called for the strike to demand the repeal of the four labour codes and the withdrawal of several policies affecting workers and farmers.
Employees and teachers from central and state civil services, workers' groups from central and state public sector undertakings, and independent trade unions also supported the call for a shutdown.
Private and state-run vehicles operated normally in Kolkata and other districts, while schools remained open.
The CPI(M)'s student wing, SFI, staged demonstrations in front of the gates of Jadavpur and Presidency universities to support the call for a shutdown, amid heavy deployment of police forces to prevent any incidents.
Given that Thursday was the first day of the state board's class 12 examinations, police and transport authorities ensured that there were sufficient buses on different routes for candidates to reach their examination centres.
All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) general secretary, Amarjeet Kaur, said that at least 30 crore workers would participate in the shutdown.
