A 24-hour 'Bharat Bandh' (nationwide strike) has been called on January 10, i.e. on Wednesday by as many as ten central trade unions. The strike has been called as a protest against economic policies of the central government that are alienating the working class and demands for labour reforms.

The trade unions who have called the 'Bharat Bandh' include INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, SEWA, UTUC, LPF, AICCTU, TUCC, and other sectoral independent federations. It has been reported that the banking and agricultural sector, too, will be participating in the strike. The complete list of trade unions who have called for the nationwide strike tomorrow will be provided below.

Meanwhile, among the demands that the unions have raised are fixing a minimum wage, social security, uniform five-day week and demand a pay hike. A 12-point plan has been formulated relating to the common demands of the working class.

The 24-hour all-India strike is expected to affect the first working shift tomorrow as the Bharat Bandh will start from 6 AM on Wednesday. The trade unions expect more than 250 million (over 25 crores) workers to participate in the Bharat Bandh.

List of Trade Unions participating in the Bharat Bandh on January 8 i.e. on Wednesday:

Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS)Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC)Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC)Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA)All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU)Labour Progressive Federation (LPF)United Trade Union Congress (UTUC)Sectoral independent federations and associations will be part of the Bharat Bandh.

(The BJP-affiliated Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh will not be participating in the Bharat Bandh tomorrow)

Services likely to be affected due to the Bharat Bandh:

Banking services, transport, and other key services are likely to be disrupted in many states including Karnataka, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. However, services at private sector banks are unlikely to be impacted.

However, the government has warned employees against the strike and said that those who take part will have to face consequences.  It has also advised PSUs to prepare a contingency plan to ensure the smooth functioning of the enterprises.