Tue Jul 08 12:40:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Nationwide Strike Expected to Disrupt India on July 9th**

**NEW DELHI, July 8, 2025** – A coalition of ten central trade unions has called for a nationwide “Bharat Bandh” (India Shutdown) tomorrow, July 9th, in protest against what they describe as the government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate” policies. Organizers anticipate over 250 million workers across the country will participate in the strike, disrupting essential services and potentially impacting daily life for millions.

Key sectors expected to be affected include banking, insurance, postal services, coal mining, factories, and transportation systems. Educational institutions may also experience closures. While emergency and healthcare services will remain open, the strike may affect railways, markets, and shops.

“Banking, postal, coal mining, factories and state transport services will be affected,” stated Harbajan Singh Sidhu of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha.

The unions, including AITUC, CITU, HMS, INTUC, SEWA, and others, have been mobilizing for months, citing the government’s failure to address a 17-point charter of demands submitted to the Labor Minister last year. Amarjeet Kaur of AITUC stated, “More than 25 crore workers are expected to participate. Farmers and rural workers will also join.”

The unions’ grievances center around the implementation of four new labor codes that they claim weaken worker rights, increase working hours, and undermine union protections. They also criticize the widespread use of contract labor and outsourcing in public services, a lack of new hiring, inadequate wage reforms, and what they perceive as excessive support for corporations over workers and farmers.

“The government has abandoned the welfare state and is serving corporate interests,” a joint statement from the unions declared.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha, along with several agricultural labor unions, has pledged its support for the strike. They plan to organize rallies and protests in rural areas to highlight economic distress, unemployment, and the rising cost of living.

This is not the first time such a nationwide strike has been organized. Similar actions took place on November 26, 2020, March 28-29, 2022, and February 16, 2023.

**Impacted Sectors:**

* Banking and Insurance Services
* Postal Services
* Coal Mining and Factories
* Transportation Systems
* Educational Institutions (Schools and Colleges)

**Citizens are advised to plan accordingly for potential disruptions to daily activities and services.**

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