Trade Unions

Data show strikes have declined over a decade, but wage losses and worker rights concerns continue to fuel fresh nationwide protest by 14 trade unions

Ten central trade unions organise nationwide protest against Labour Codes, reporting disruptions in coal, banking, transport and agriculture sectors

The nationwide strike called by trade unions against the Centre's policies on Thursday triggered protests in a few districts of Madhya Pradesh, while over 25,000 civilian employees of defence establishments reported to work an hour late across the state. However, MP's business capital Indore remained unaffected by the strike. The day-long strike was called to protest against what the unions described as anti-worker, anti-farmer and pro-corporate policies of the central government. In Indore and adjoining industrial areas, the strike had a negligible impact on factory operations, and work continued as usual, industrial bodies and labour leaders said. Markets, petrol pumps, schools and colleges remained open across the state. More than 25,000 civilian workers posted at six ordnance factories in Madhya Pradesh, the 506 Army Base Workshop, the Central Ordnance Depot and the Military Engineer Services reported for duty an hour late as a mark of protest, said S N Pathak, president of th

Trade unions and farmers have called a Bharat Bandh on February 12 to protest labour codes and the India-US trade deal; banking, transport and markets may see disruptions in several states

A nationwide strike called by central trade unions on Thursday failed to evoke any response in West Bengal as vehicles plied normally and state government and private offices recorded usual turnout. A joint forum of 14 central trade unions called for the strike to demand the repeal of the four labour codes and the withdrawal of several policies affecting workers and farmers. Employees and teachers from central and state civil services, workers' groups from central and state public sector undertakings, and independent trade unions also supported the bandh call. Private and state-run vehicles plied normally in Kolkata and other districts, while schools remained open. CPI(M)'s student wing SFI staged demonstrations in front of the gates of Jadavpur and Presidency universities to support the bandh call amid heavy deployment of police forces to prevent any untoward incident. With Thursday being the first day for the state board's class 12 examinations, police and transporters ensured t

Ten central trade unions call a nationwide strike against Labour Codes; banking, transport and government services may face disruptions in several states

India needs simpler, more flexible labour Codes and modernised trade unions, not a return to 29 outdated laws that hurt productivity, formalisation and competitiveness

A joint platform of 10 central trade unions on Monday said that the call for a nationwide general strike on February 12 is on, and not less than 30 crore workers across the country are expected to join the protest. The group of unions had given a call for a nationwide strike on January 9, 2025, to show their "resistance to anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the central government". All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur told reporters that this time "not less than 30 crore workers will participate in the strike called on February 12 (Thursday). Last time on July 9, 2025, about 25 crore workers took part in the agitation. She informed that the strike will see its impact in 600 districts of the country, which is higher than about 550 districts last year. Kaur also stated that the trade unions' claims of participation are based on the strong preparations done at the district and block levels, and farmers, as well as other ...

Supreme Court says trade union leaders have stalled industrial growth, cautions that fixing minimum wages for domestic workers could worsen unemployment and hardship

While the new rules offer social security and minimum-wage benefits, they also allow companies to hire and fire workers more easily

Strikes and street demonstrations called by all major trade unions to denounce budget cuts were expected Thursday across France, as new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu talks with political opponents about curbing France's massive deficit and debt. Unions are urging Lecornu to abandon draft budget measures proposed by his predecessor, which include social welfare freezes and austerity measures that many say will further erode the purchasing power of low-paid and middle-class workers. In a joint statement issued before the change of prime minister last week, unions described such measures as unprecedented brutality, regretting that previous government had "chosen to make workers, those in precarious employment, retirees, and the sick pay the price. Unions also continue to denounce President Emmanuel Macron's pension reform that raised the minimum retirement age from 62 to 64. Outgoing Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said Wednesday he expects a very strong mobilization in the ...

Beijing is betting that economic pressure and diplomatic defiance will force concessions, but its stance could put more strain on its ties with Europe at a crucial time

The trade unions claimed that the strike was successful, and a large number of workers abstained from work, impacting postal, banking, insurance, and mining sectors

On July 9, ten central trade unions will go on strike to protest against the government's failure to conduct the Indian Labour Conference for ten years and the imposition of four controversial labour

At least 20 states and UTs have amended their laws and increased the threshold for retrenchment without government approval from 100 to 300 workers

The production at the country's largest iron ore miner has been severely affected. In the last four days, the output has come down by over 60 per cent

The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), a trade union body, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a meeting to highlight the grievances of "workers, technicians, junior artists, and artists" of the Hindi film industry. In the letter, sent on January 11, AICWA president Suresh Shyamlal Gupta highlighted the major concerns of the workers, including poor pay, long working hours and lack of safety on film sets. "These individuals form the foundation of India's entertainment industry, which contributes significantly to the country's economy and cultural influence. However, despite their contributions, they are subjected to exploitation, poor working conditions, and a lack of social and economic protections. "We seek your intervention to address these challenges and propose structural reforms that would not only improve the lives of these workers but also strengthen the industry itself," read the letter. It highlighted that workers are made to work "16 to

The unions further demanded an increase in the income tax exemption rebate limit to Rs 10 lakh per annum and a social security scheme for gig workers

Since India is a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), it has to provide representation to the workers in various forums that involve tripartite discussions

Gopalan urged workers to call off "illegal" strike, return to work, and come forward for talks