The Indian National Trade Union Congress and Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) have urged workers in Kerala to join the nationwide protests on Wednesday, July 9. This could potentially disrupt services across the state. More than 25 crore workers are going to protest across the country on July 9.
Why Is There a Bharat Bandh On July 9?
Over 25 crore protestors are likely to carry out a general protest, opposing "the anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the government."
In a statement, a forum of 10 central trade unions and their associates has urged the protestors to make this nationwide strike a grand success. The forum has asked workers of all sectors, including both the organized and unorganized economy, to participate in the general strike on July 9.
Bharat Bandh In Kerala On July?
In the state of Kerala, as per the On Manorama report, banking, insurance, postal services, coal mining, highway and construction are expected to participate in the strike. Educational institutions are likely to remain shut as associations of teachers backed the protest. Farmers are also expected to participate in the strike.
Accordingly, transport services such as trains and buses will likely be impacted. Banking services could take a hit too.
What Could Be Impacted Due To Bharat Bandh In Kerala?
- Banking and financial services as bank employees could be participating in the general protest. The chances of your bank branches being closed are high. Hence, services like opening a bank account, depositing or withdrawing large sums of money, applying for new cards or loans, updating passbook and many other financial-related services could be impacted in Kerala-based banks.
- Postal Services
- Coal mining and factories
- Public transport like buses, trains and metros.
- Government and PSU offices could be closed.
- Educational institutions may be disrupted.
- Shops, Restaurants and Malls could be impacted.
Amarjeet Kaur from All India Trade Union Congress called all farmers and rural workers to join the protest across the country.
What Will Remain Open In Kerala On July 9?
- Schools and colleges. As of now, the Kerala government has not made any official statement regarding school and university holidays on July 9 due to the general strike.
- Private Offices
What are the Demand And Concerns Raised By The Protestors?
Last year, the forum submitted a 17-point demand to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandavia, the workers' union forum.
One of the concerns raised was that the Government has not conducted any annual labor conferences for the last 10 years and has continued to take decisions in the interest of the labor force, attempting to impose four labor codes to weaken collective bargaining, to cripple unions' activities, and to favour employers in the name of 'ease of doing business.'
Further, the forum claimed that the economic policies have pushed a surge in unemployment, a spike in prices of essential commodities, a depression in wages, and a cut in social sector spending in education, health, and basic civic amenities.
The forum believes that these are resulting in more inequalities and miseries for poor people of the lower income group alongside the middle class.
Additionally, the forum stated that the government has abandoned the welfare state status of the country and is working in the interest of foreign and Indian corporations.
The forum pointed out that trade unions have been fighting against "privatisation of public sector enterprises and public services, policies of outsourcing, contractorisation and casualisation of workforce".
Furthermore, the forum alleged that Government departments, instead of providing regular appointments to the youth, the policy to recruit those who retired, as witnessed in Railways, NMDC Ltd, steel sector, and teaching cadres, is damaging to the growth of the country where 65% population is below the age of 35 years and the number of unemployed is maximum among those in the age group of 20 to 25 years.
As per reports, union leaders of NMDC, and other non-coal mineral and steel sectors are likely to join the protest on July 9. Public sector undertaking companies have also reportedly expressed interest in joining the strike.
Not just that Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the joint front of the agricultural workers unions are likely to protest in support of the forum as well.
The unions are demanding that the government address issues related to unemployment, recruitment against sanctioned posts, creation of more jobs, increase in days and remuneration of MGNREGA workers and enactment of similar legislation for urban areas.
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