• Source:JND
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A nationwide strike or ‘Bharat Bandh’ has been called by the All India Trade Union on Wednesday against the pro-corporate policies of the central government, where nearly 25  crore employees from organised and unorganised sectors are likely to participate. 

The Bandh has been called, alleging that the central government is pushing for a kind of economic reform that will weaken the rights of workers. Besides the strike, unions will hold large demonstrations and rallies in state capitals, district headquarters, and major industrial hubs on Wednesday.

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  • Left parties staged a protest against the central government in Chennai as part of the 'Bharat Bandh' Call.

  • Kerala’s City, Kochi, witnessed empty roads amid ‘Bharat Bandh’ observed across the country, news agency ANI reported

  • The impact of the nationwide strike called by a joint forum of 10 central trade unions and their affiliates was seen across the country, as leaders of RJD’s student wing blocked the train track in Bihar’s Jehanabad, registering their objection against the pro-corporate policies of the government. 
  • In another instance, deserted roads were witnessed in West Bengal’s Siliguri, as the operation of state-run buses was affected due to the nationwide strike, or Bharat Bandh, led by the All India Trade Union.
  • Registering their presence and extending support to the ‘Bharat Bandh’, the Left parties’ union carried out a foot march in Jadavpur, Kolkata. 
  • Police have arrested Left Trade Union workers as they attempted to stop the bus at the Midnapore bus stand in West Bengal

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Why Bharat Bandh And Who Will Participate

The All India Trade Union has called a nationwide strike on Wednesday to register protests against the pro-corporate policies of the government. Approximately 25 crore employees are expected to participate in the ‘Bharat Bandh’ called by a forum of 10 trade unions and affiliated organisations.

Trade Unions, participating in the Bharat Bandh today, are, Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC), Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), United Trade Union Congress (UTUC)

The Bandh was originally scheduled for May 10, but it was deferred to July 9 due to the ‘prevailing situation’ in the country.

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Bharat Bandh: What Are The Demands Of Trade Unions

The forum is demanding that the government solve the unemployment problem, make recruitments on sanctioned posts and create more jobs. Also, they demand to increase in the working days and wages of MNREGA workers and make a similar law for urban areas.

Along with this, the protesting entities want the government to address the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme, as they allege that it only benefits employers rather than meeting the needs of workers.