New Delhi, February 9 A joint platform of 10 central trade unions on Monday said that the call for a nationwide general strike on February 12 is on, and that at least 30 crore workers across the country are expected to participate in the protest.
The group of unions had given a call for a nationwide strike on January 9, 2025, to demonstrate their "resistance to anti-worker, anti-farmer, and anti-national policies that favor corporations, promoted by the central government."
All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur told reporters that "at least 30 crore workers will participate in the strike called on February 12 (Thursday). Last time, on July 9, 2025, about 25 crore workers participated in the agitation.
She informed that the strike will have an impact in 600 districts of the country, which is higher than the approximately 550 districts last year.
Kaur also stated that the trade unions' claims of participation are based on the strong preparations made at the district and block levels, and that farmers, as well as other federations, are supporting them.
Regarding the impact of the proposed strike in BJP-ruled states, she said that Odisha and Assam would be completely shut down, and other states will also experience a significant impact from the agitation.
According to a statement by the joint forum, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha has extended full support for joining the protest and mobilizing for their demands, as well as in support of the trade unions' demands.
Similarly, the joint front of agricultural workers' unions is also participating in the campaign, joining the strike with a special focus on restoring the MGNREGA.
Widespread campaigns have been launched in almost all states, across all sectors – government, public and private sector establishments, industrial areas, among workers, farmers, and the general public in rural and urban India.
Students and youth groups have joined in several places to support these campaigns. Common citizens have also been extending their support for the strike's demands.
Strike notices have been served in most sectors and industries. The preparations are complete, it stated.
Their immediate demands include the scrapping of four labour codes and rules, the withdrawal of the Draft Seed Bill and the Electricity Amendment Bill, and the 'Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act'.
The unions are also demanding the restoration of MGNREGA and the scrapping of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025.
The joint forum includes INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU LPF, and UTUC.
