Ten central trade unions have called for a nationwide strike, Bharat Bandh, on Wednesday, supported by rural and agricultural labour organizations. The unions are protesting government policies favouring big businesses at the expense of workers and farmers. They are demanding better wages, more government jobs and opposing new labour codes, potentially disrupting public transport and services, Trade Union leaders and members staging demonstration at Anna Salai in Chennai.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
Normal life in the city remained largely unaffected despite central trade unions staging protests in several parts of city in view of a nationwide strike call in protest against the four labour codes, contractualisation, and privatisation of Public Sector Undertakings(PSUs) among others. However, traffic was affected on arterial roads such as Anna Salai and in Guindy, Ambattur and Thiruvottriyur.
A large number of members and leaders from Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC),All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), HMS, Labour Progressive Federation and others gathered near Head Post Office on Anna Salai. They indulged in sloganeering against the BJP- led central government and its anti-labour policies. They squatted on the arterial road and continued their protests. The protest resulted in heavy traffic congestion from Anna Statue to Anna Flyover. Police arrested over 800 protestors from the avenue and detained them.
Explaining the charter of demands, CITU state president A.Soundararajan said the central government has been functioning with ulterior policy of retrenchment, laying off, introducing contract system in the place of permanent posts and alleged that they have framed new labour code which is anti-labour to achieve ulterior motive. He said the new Farm Acts introduced by the present central government should be withdrawn and the central government should keep the promises given to the farmers.
Similar protests held at LIC head office in Anna Salai, near post office in Guindy, railway station in Korukkupet, Maraimalai Nagar, Thiruvottriyur, Ennore and Manali. Heavy traffic was witnessed on Avadi High Road when the police arrested the protesting trade unionists near Ambattur Uzhavar Sandhai. Offices of Income Tax Department, LIC, and central government establishments witnessed poor attendance in view of the strike.
Published – July 10, 2025 12:48 am IST
