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**Summary:**

The United Democratic Front Trade Unions (UDFT) in India has announced a 24-hour national strike planned for July 9th, 2025. They claim 64 crore workers are facing dire conditions due to government policies. Their demands include scrapping labor codes, increasing minimum wage, improved pay and benefits for community health workers, withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill, and increased taxes for corporations and the wealthy. They are accusing both central and state governments of exploiting workers.

**News Article:**

**Indian Trade Unions Announce National Strike Over Worker Exploitation**

**KOCHI, INDIA – July 5, 2025** – The United Democratic Front Trade Unions (UDFT), a coalition of trade unions affiliated with the UDF, announced a 24-hour national strike scheduled for July 9th, 2025, citing the worsening conditions faced by workers across India.

Speaking to the media, INTUC State president and UDFT chairperson R. Chandrasekharan stated that an estimated 64 crore (640 million) workers are currently experiencing a “nightmarish life” due to government policies. He accused the Union government of turning the Labour Department into “a mere scarecrow,” pointing to widespread layoffs and the privatization of public sector undertakings and airports as key concerns.

“The Union government has turned the Labour department into a mere scarecrow. Layoffs have become widespread. Public sector undertakings and airports are being sold to corporates,” he said.

The UDFT is accusing both the Central and State governments of worker exploitation and is demanding significant changes to labor and economic policies. The strike centers on 17 key demands, including the scrapping of the four labor codes, the establishment of a ₹27,900 minimum wage, improved pay and benefits for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), anganwadi workers, palliative care providers, and literacy facilitators. The Union also calls for the withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill and increased corporate and income taxes on the wealthy. Chandrasekharan urged the public to support the strike.

The strike promises to be a significant event, potentially disrupting various sectors across India. The UDFT hopes the action will pressure the government to address their concerns and improve the working conditions for millions of Indian workers.

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