Ten Central Trade Unions (CTUs) on January 9, 2026, jointly announced a nationwide general strike scheduled for February 12, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Labour Codes. The unions stated that if the Central government does not repeal the codes, they would consider intensifying the protest into an indefinite strike.
According to trade union representatives, the Labour Codes significantly weaken collective bargaining and reduce the influence of organised labour. They noted that nearly five nationwide strikes have already taken place since the Labour Codes were passed by Parliament around five years ago.
At a recent national convention, union leaders accused the Central government of accelerating the privatisation of public-sector undertakings (PSUs), including railways, coal mines, steel plants, airports, banks, and electricity and power generation units. The unions alleged that such policies primarily benefit a small group of large corporate entities, while undermining job security and workers’ rights.
The CTUs also raised concerns over what they described as neglected public issues, such as rising prices of essential commodities, deaths linked to contaminated drinking water, and the increasing cost of healthcare, education, and basic services. They further pointed out that lakhs of vacancies in government departments remain unfilled, despite growing unemployment.
Union leaders argued that instead of addressing these challenges, the Centre is prioritising the implementation of Labour Codes, which they claim will erode worker protections and dilute the role of trade unions.
Earlier this month, the Central government notified draft rules for the four Labour Codes: the Code on Wages, 2019; the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; the Code on Social Security, 2020; and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
The unions reiterated that their proposed strike is intended to press for the withdrawal of these laws and to draw attention to broader economic and employment-related concerns.
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