On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 10 central trade unions have declared a nationwide strike. Farmers' and rural workers' organisations will participate too. The protest is branded as "Bharat Bandh". It aims to oppose the government's policies, which the unions term as pro-corporate and anti-worker.
Across the formal and informal sectors, over 25 crore workers are expected to participate. Farmers and agricultural labourers from rural India will also participate in this protest.
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The trade unions supporting the strike are the Indian National Trade Union Congress, All India Trade Union Congress, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, All India United Trade Union Centre, Trade Union Coordination Centre, Self-Employed Women's Association, All India Central Council of Trade Unions, Labour Progressive Federation and United Trade Union Congress.
Financial services will be closed. Banks will be closed. Postal departments, Coal mining, factories, state transport services, Public sector units and government departments will be closed.
Harbhajan Singh Sidhu from Hind Mazdoor Sabha said the protest would see "strong participation across industries and services, both public and private. "Workers from companies like NMDC and various state-run entities in the steel and mineral sectors have confirmed their participation.
Due to the bandh, banking unions have not confirmed about disruption of services. Financial services will be affected as per the bandh organisers. Banking operations will be impacted. Branch services, cheque clearance, and customer support in many regions will be closed, impacting banking operations.
On July 9, schools, colleges, and private offices are expected to remain open. Due to transport issues, normal operations may face disruptions. Public buses, taxis, and app-based cab services could be affected. In several cities, trade unions and allied groups hold protest marches and road demonstrations. The result is delays or cancellations in local travel and logistical operations. Longer travel times and possible traffic diversions are expected. Hence, daily commuters are advised to plan.
As of now, there is no official announcement about a nationwide railway strike on July 9. However, since large-scale protests and road blockades are expected in several parts of the country, train services may experience delays or disruptions in certain regions.
The trade unions claim that their concerns have been consistently ignored. They submitted a 17-point charter of demands to Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya last year, but say there has been no serious response.
"The government has abandoned the welfare state status of the country. It is working in the interest of foreign and Indian corporates, and it is evident from the policies being pursued vigorously," the union forum stated.
