Nationwide General Strike Planned in February Against Labour Codes and New Employment Laws
A joint platform of central trade unions has announced plans to hold a nationwide general strike in February 2026 to protest the Centre’s recent legislative moves affecting workers, the nuclear energy sector and rural employment. The unions are opposing the four new labour codes notified in November, the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill passed during the Winter Session of Parliament, and the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), 2005.
The strike has received support from farmers’ body Samyukta Kisan Morcha and the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers (NCCOEEE). In a statement issued on Tuesday, the forum of 10 central trade unions said it has resolved to call a general strike on February 12, 2026, against what it termed a “multi-pronged attack on people’s rights and entitlements.” The date will be formally ratified at the National Workers’ Convention scheduled for January 9 in New Delhi, and the strike is expected to coincide with Parliament’s Budget Session.
The unions alleged that the new labour codes weaken the right to strike, make union registration difficult and allow easier de-recognition of unions, while also paving the way for winding up labour courts. They further claimed that the SHANTI Act dilutes supplier liability in the event of nuclear accidents, raising concerns over national security, and that the VB-G RAM G Bill shifts the fiscal burden of rural employment to states and curtails guaranteed work during harvesting seasons. Except for Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, all major unions — including INTUC, AITUC and CITU — are part of the platform, which has called on opposition parties, youth and students to support the strike in defence of workers’ rights and democratic values.
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