The two-day nation-wide strike called by Ten Central Trade Unions (CTU) against anti-worker policies of the Centre has affected normal life across the Country. Cases of violence has been reported from several places in West Bengal as the strike kicked in this morning. Mostly clashes were seen in Kolkata, Asansol and Hooghly districts in West Bengal.
Buses were vandalised and train services have been disrupted in Jadavpur, Sodepur, Rishra and Uttarpara.
Affect of Bandh has also been seen in Odisha as protesting trade union CTU members blocked roads in Bhubaneswar.
According to reports, train services were also disrupted in parts of Kerala, where protesters blocked railway tracks and raised slogans.
General Secretary of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Amarjeet Kaur said that around 20 crore workers of the central trade unions are participating in the two-day nationwide strike today and tomorrow.
"As many as 10 CTUs have joined hands…this is the largest number of workers from formal and informal sectors joining the strike against anti-worker policies of the BJP-led central government," said Kaur on Monday.
Workers from sectors such as telecom, health, education, coal, steel, electricity, banking, insurance and transport are supporting the strike. Farmers and students' groups have also supported the strike.
On Wednesday, the protesters have planned to march from Mandi House to Parliament and similar marches will be held across the country, said trade union leaders. The unions alleged that suggestions on labour codes were given to the government but they were rejected.
According to the trade union leaders the government has "failed to create jobs and grossly ignored" the 12-point charter of demands, which includes minimum wages and social security schemes. The Group of Ministers headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on labour issues is unwilling to discuss matters, claimed the trade unions.
