Bharat Band: Combined Forum of key trade unions has Called For a Two-Day Nationwide Strike

 

A combined forum of key trade unions has called for a two-day nationwide strike to protest central government policies, which will begin on Monday. The All India Bank Employees Association has stated that it will support the strike. A combined forum of leading trade unions called for the nationwide strike to protest government policies that harm workers, farmers, and the general public. According to Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress, over 20 crore official and informal employees are expected to participate, with widespread mobilisation of workers taking place across the country.

The walkout is being held by bank unions to oppose the government's plan to privatise public sector banks as well as the Banking Laws Amendment Bill 2021. A number of banks, including the State Bank of India, have released statements warning that financial services may be disrupted on Monday and Tuesday. Workers from a variety of industries, including steel, oil, telecom, coal, postal, income tax, copper, and insurance, are expected to join the walkout. Unions in the trains and defence sectors are expected to mobilise in favour of the strike in hundreds of locations. Workers on the roads, in transportation, and in the electrical industry have all decided to join the strike.

The Power Ministry today issued a warning to all state-owned utilities and other organisations to be on high alert in order to maintain continuous electricity supply and grid stability. The ministry's advise stated that power supply to people involved in important services such as hospitals, defence, and railways must be ensured, and suggested the establishment of a 24-hour control room for information distribution and contingency management. The West Bengal administration has ordered staff to go to work on Monday and Tuesday, stating that despite the Bharat Bandh, all state government offices will stay open.