Ten central trade unions will on 26th November 2020 observe a nationwide general strike in protest against the Centre’s policies, such as privatisation of public sector units and new labour and farm laws. They have also decided to back a two-day farmers’ agitation on November 26 and November 27. 

While addressing the media on Saturday, union leaders announced that workers belonging to all the sectors, except those who are part of essential services, would participate in 26th November 2020 strike.

Besides 10 major trade unions, employees’ unions in insurance, banking, Railways and State and Central government institutions will take part in the bandh, which will begin from November 25 midnight and end on November 26 midnight.  

Around 1.6 crore workers will be a part of the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call.

As per the statement, the preparatory campaign for the November 26 strike against “the anti-people, anti-worker, anti-national and destructive policies of the BJP government led by Modi has been going on with great enthusiasm all over the country.”

Meanwhile, owners of private vehicles have been urged by the union leaders to stay off the road, barring any emergency.

Notably, cabs, auto-rickshaws, trucks, and other private transportations in Telangana will back the nation-wide bandh on November 26. According to Telangana Auto Union Samakhya general secretary A Satish Reddy, they have nine major demands, including setting up of a transportation workers’ board and the abolition of the Motor Vehicle Act, 2019. 

The united platform of the peasants’ organisations, the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), have also extended support to the general strike. “It is heartening that the peasants, who are already in the midst of struggle against the draconian farm laws passed by the Modi govt, support the workers fighting against the anti-worker measures of this government,” read the statement.

Bharat Bandh on 26 November 2020: Key demands

As per the union leaders, here are the major demands:

• Abolition of anti-labour and anti-farmer bills
• Payment of Rs 7,500 in the accounts of each non-tax paying family
• Monthly supply of 10 kg of food grains to needy families
• MGNREGS expansion to give 200 workdays every year, higher wages and the scheme’s implementation in urban areas
• End to privatisation in sectors such as railways, ports, defence, power, aviation, mining and finance
• No forced dismissal of employees in PSUs and pension for everyone

All-India strike: Participants

The unions who are participating in November 26 strike are All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Co-ordination Centre (TUCC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and United Trade Union Congress (UTUC).