Massive Strike on July 9: Workers Protest, Services Face Disruption

On Wednesday, July 9, a nationwide strike is planned by over 250 million workers. The ‘Bharat Bandh’ is a protest against the government’s economic policies and is organized by a coalition of ten central trade unions. Affected sectors include banking, insurance, postal services, coal mining, and highways. The unions are demanding solutions to unemployment, including the filling of vacant posts, job creation, increased workdays under MNREGA, and higher wages. They also propose an urban MNREGA-style program and a reevaluation of the Employment Linked Incentive Scheme (ELI). Banking services are expected to be affected, and it’s advisable to check with bank branches for operational status. Schools and colleges are expected to remain open, although some government services may experience disruption.