On 9th July 2025, India witnessed yet another wave of collective resistance as major trade unions across the country called for a Bharat Bandh. This nationwide shutdown was not just a routine protest; it echoed deep-rooted frustrations of the working class over government policies perceived as anti-labour. Backed by workers from various sectors, including railways, banks, transport, coal, steel, construction, and even parts of the informal sector, the Bharat Bandh highlighted growing unrest over controversial labour-related legislation that has once again brought trade unions into the national spotlight.
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The Controversial Labour Code: A Flashpoint-
At the heart of this Bharat Bandh lies the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, a law that was passed along with three other labour codes during the pandemic without extensive consultation or debate. While the government claimed the labour codes were part of an effort to consolidate and simplify India’s archaic labour laws, trade unions and labour experts argue that these reforms tilt heavily in favour of employers.
One of the most contentious provisions is the increase in the threshold for retrenchment, layoffs, and closures from 100 workers to 300. Trade unions argue that this will result in massive job insecurity and weaken the collective bargaining power of workers.
Moreover, the restrictions imposed on forming unions and the easing of contract labour norms are being viewed as direct attacks on the rights of organised labour. The new laws also introduce a Fixed Term Employment (FTE) category, allowing employers to hire workers on short-term contracts with no obligation for permanent employment, pensions, or retrenchment compensation.
Demands of the Trade Unions-
In the face of these sweeping changes, trade unions have put forth a unified charter of demands. These include:
- Immediate withdrawal of all four labour codes and restoration of earlier protective labour laws.
- Legally guaranteed minimum wage of ₹26,000 per month for all workers across sectors.
- Universal social security cover, including ESI, EPF, pension, and gratuity, to be extended.
- Rollback of privatisation and disinvestment of public sector undertakings, especially strategic sectors like defence, railways, power, and banking.
- Strengthening of grievance redressal mechanisms and reinstatement of tripartite consultations in policy-making.
Who is Behind the Bharat Bandh?
A total of 10 Central Trade Unions, which also includes AITUC (All India Trade Union Congress), CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions), INTUC (Indian National Trade Union Congress), HMS, and AIUTUC, joined hands for this mass mobilisation. Even independent federations of defence, telecom, bank, and insurance employees backed the call.
Adding strength to the strike were farmers’ groups and civil society organisations who see the move not just as a labour protest but as a symbol of resistance against growing corporate control over public institutions and workers’ lives.
In several states like West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and parts of Maharashtra, the Bharat Bandh saw spontaneous participation from daily wage workers, transport unions, construction labourers, and students.
A Legacy of Resistance: The History of Trade Unions in India-
To understand the significance of the 9 July bandh, it is important to trace the long-standing legacy of trade unions in India. India’s trade union movement dates back to the early 20th century, which was during the British colonial era. The first recognised trade union, the Madras Labour Union, was formed in 1918 by B.P. Wadia. The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), formed in 1920, played a pivotal role in organising industrial workers and building a voice for labour rights under the oppressive British regime.
Over the decades, trade unions have been central to shaping key labour legislations in independent India, such as the Factories Act, Industrial Disputes Act, and Minimum Wages Act. In the post-liberalisation era of the 1990s, when India opened up its economy, trade unions shifted focus to resist mass layoffs, contract labour exploitation, and the dilution of social security.
Despite a decline in formal sector jobs and the rise of the gig economy, India still boasts over 10 crore registered workers under various trade unions. These bodies have repeatedly demonstrated their resilience, whether it was the Bharat Bandh of 1974 by railway workers or the nationwide strikes of 2016 and 2020, which brought entire states to a standstill.
Government’s Response: Reforms vs. Rights?
The government continues to defend the labour codes as pro-worker and pro-employer, arguing that they encourage ease of doing business, promote formal employment, and attract foreign investment. Officials say that the codes are designed to simplify over 40 existing labour laws and reduce “red tape” that stifles enterprise growth.
However, critics argue that these so-called reforms come at the cost of basic labour protections. The lack of consultation with trade unions during the draughting process, passage of the bills during the COVID-19 lockdown, and absence of any tripartite negotiations have further fuelled distrust.
What particularly worries labour leaders is the centralisation of power, with state governments being granted sweeping authority to modify key labour provisions, undermining national uniformity and worker protections.
Voices from the Ground-
Raju Bhattacharya, a 45-year-old steel plant worker from Jharkhand, shared his fears:
“They are making it easier to remove us from our jobs. We have worked for 20 years but still have no guarantee of a pension or even continued work next year.”
Similarly, Sunita Devi, who was a construction worker in Delhi, lamented:
“We get no health benefits, no maternity leave. Now even the little protection we had is being taken away.”
These voices represent millions who form the backbone of India’s economy yet remain on the margins of policymaking.
What Lies Ahead?
The 9 July Bharat Bandh is not likely to be a one-off event. Trade unions have warned of escalated struggles, including indefinite strikes and coordinated national protests in the coming months if their demands are ignored. Legal petitions have already been filed in courts challenging certain provisions of the new codes.
What this bandh reflects is a deeper conflict between labour and capital, between policy centralisation and grassroots resistance, and between a vision of fast-tracked economic growth versus inclusive, worker-driven development.The question remains: Can India balance economic reforms with social justice?
Conclusion-
The Bharat Bandh of 9 July 2025 is more than a strike—it is a warning bell from the working class, a call to reconsider how we treat our workforce and whether economic development can be sustained without fairness, security, and dignity for those who build the nation. In a country as diverse and populous as India, ignoring the voice of workers is not just unjust; it is unsustainable. Whether the government listens or not, one thing is certain: India’s trade unions are not ready to give up without a fight.