Sun Apr 20 17:51:59 UTC 2025: ## National Strike Planned in India to Protest Anti-Worker Policies
**Visakhapatnam, India – April 20, 2025** – The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has announced its support for a nationwide strike on May 20th, protesting what it calls “anti-worker” and “anti-people” policies implemented by the Union government. CITU national president K. Hemalatha criticized the government’s four new labor codes, arguing they weaken trade unions and benefit corporations at the expense of workers. She specifically condemned the weakening of worker protections and the increased ease with which companies can avoid penalties for labor law violations.
Hemalatha accused the government of favoring corporate giants like Adani and Ambani through privatization efforts targeting public sector enterprises, including the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), LIC, railways, defense, and mining sectors. The CITU demands a minimum wage of ₹26,000 per month, a minimum pension of ₹10,000, and the regularization of contract and scheme workers.
CITU State general secretary Ch. Narasinga Rao highlighted concerns over proposed increases in working hours from eight to fourteen hours and called for an end to the privatization of Discoms and the recent power tariff hikes. The union is urging widespread participation in united struggles to protect workers’ rights. The strike announcement follows a CITU State Council meeting in Visakhapatnam.
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