Tue Jul 08 12:40:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:

**Headline: “Bharat Bandh” Expected to Disrupt Key Sectors as Unions Protest Government Policies**

**New Delhi, July 8, 2025** – A coalition of ten major trade unions has called for a nationwide strike, or “Bharat Bandh,” tomorrow, July 9th, 2025, potentially impacting critical sectors like banking, coal mining, postal services, insurance, and transportation. Organizers estimate that over 25 crore workers will participate, protesting what they describe as the government’s pro-corporate, anti-worker, and anti-farmer policies.

While schools, colleges, and private offices are expected to remain open, disruptions are anticipated due to transportation issues. Public sector banks and insurance companies are likely to be affected, potentially slowing down transactions and check clearances. While individual bank unions haven’t independently confirmed disruption of services, organizers claim participation of public sector and cooperative bank employees. Share and bullion markets will remain open.

Postal and courier services may experience delays. Coal India and other public sector factories are expected to see work stoppages. State-run bus and taxi services in several states could be affected, though private vehicles are expected to operate as usual. While railway unions haven’t officially joined the strike, localized protests may cause disruptions to local train services.

Key demands of the striking unions include:

* **Opposition to Labor Reforms:** Unions argue that the government’s four new labor codes undermine worker rights by restricting union activities, increasing working hours, and making jobs less secure.
* **Rejection of Privatization:** The unions are protesting the privatization of public sector enterprises and the increasing reliance on contract labor.
* **Support for Farmers:** The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Joint Farmers’ Front) is also supporting the strike, pressing the government on Minimum Support Price (MSP) guarantees and other agricultural issues.
* **Addressing Inflation and Unemployment:** The unions accuse the government of ignoring demands to raise the minimum wage, restore pension schemes, and create more jobs.

Specific demands include stopping the privatization of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), fixing minimum wage at ₹26,000 per month, restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), and expanding employment guarantee schemes in rural and urban areas.

The strike is being spearheaded by major unions including INTUC, AITUC, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU and UTUC. The extent of the disruption remains to be seen, but the Bharat Bandh is shaping up to be a significant challenge for the government and a test of its labor and economic policies.

Read More