Banks, Coal, Highways, and Postal Services See Strikes as Unions Demand Policy Rollbacks and Better Wages
India woke up to closed shutters, empty bank counters, and thinner-than-usual traffic on July 9, as a sweeping Bharat Bandh — backed by over 25 crore workers — disrupted critical services across the country. The protest, called by a coalition of 10 central trade unions, is aimed squarely at the central government’s controversial labour code reforms and privatisation agenda.
In Delhi, Kolkata, and parts of Tamil Nadu, early morning commuters were turned away at bus depots. In Jharkhand and West Bengal, reports of coal mining workers joining the strike filtered in even before sunrise. Banking customers, meanwhile, found several branches non-operational, especially in rural and semi-urban belts.
The Protest: More Than Just a Day Off Work
This isn’t your average flash strike.
What’s happening today is the culmination of months — if not years — of tension between the workforce and New Delhi over structural changes to India’s labour ecosystem.
The bone of contention? Four new labour codes passed by Parliament, aimed at consolidating 29 existing laws. The government says the codes simplify compliance and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for industries. Workers argue otherwise.
They believe these codes dilute their rights, especially those related to working hours, minimum wage calculation, and trade union recognition.
One union leader from Maharashtra called the move a “direct attack on India’s working class.” Another, based in Punjab, labelled it “a corporate giveaway masquerading as reform.”
What Exactly Is Closed Today?
It varies. But it’s not a small list.
• Public sector bank branches in several districts stayed shut, particularly those where employee unions like AIBEA and BEFI hold sway.
• Government offices saw lower footfall as Class III and Class IV staff joined the strike.
• Coal India operations were hit in pockets of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
• Several postal offices either didn’t open or worked with barebones staffing.
Interestingly, essential services like hospital emergency departments and ambulance services were mostly unaffected, barring a few hiccups in transportation-linked logistics.
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Workers’ Demands Go Beyond Labour Codes
Yes, the labour codes are front and center — but there’s more on the table.
The striking workers are also demanding:
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Withdrawal of privatisation in sectors like railways, power, and insurance
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Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for government employees
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A legally mandated minimum wage of ₹26,000 per month
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Regularisation of contract and scheme-based workers
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A ban on fixed-term employment contracts
The minimum wage demand has struck a nerve, especially in urban clusters where inflation has made a serious dent in household budgets. “Even ₹26,000 barely covers rent and groceries in a city like Mumbai,” said Sarita Kumari, a sanitation worker at a municipal school.
Where the Impact Was Felt Most
The impact of the bandh wasn’t uniform. Urban metros had limited disruption due to better automation and contingency plans. But in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the strike slowed things down.
Let’s break it down:
| Sector | Impacted States | Description of Disruption |
|---|---|---|
| Banks | Kerala, West Bengal | Multiple branches shut or running partially |
| Coal Mining | Jharkhand, Odisha | Worker turnout fell sharply in early shifts |
| Postal Services | Bihar, Chhattisgarh | Limited staff in counters; delayed deliveries |
| Transport | Tamil Nadu, Delhi NCR | Fewer buses, more traffic snarls |
| Construction | Across North India | Labour absenteeism reported on key sites |
One senior PSU official, requesting anonymity, said, “We’re used to strikes. But this scale — involving 25 crore people? That’s different.”
Banks: Open or Closed?
The million-rupee question.
While many bank branches stayed open — especially private sector ones — several public sector units saw sporadic shutdowns.
The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) had already signalled its support. In states like Kerala and Bengal, where union presence is historically strong, banks remained shut for the first half of the day.
In Karnataka and Maharashtra, operations were patchy.
That said, ATMs functioned normally, and digital banking services remained largely uninterrupted — thanks to automation and backend contingency measures.
Political Heat and Public Voices
The Bharat Bandh has added another flashpoint to India’s already charged political landscape.
Opposition parties, including the Congress and Left bloc, voiced their support. Rahul Gandhi tweeted in the morning, “We stand with India’s workers. Exploitation must stop. Dignity and fair wages are not too much to ask.”
The ruling BJP, meanwhile, downplayed the bandh’s impact. Party spokesperson Gopal Krishna called it “a politically motivated move at a time when reforms are needed to boost jobs, not kill them.”
Public opinion, as always, was split down the middle.
One tea vendor near Delhi’s Anand Vihar bus stand muttered, “They say it’s for our rights. But I earn only if buses run and passengers buy tea.” A university student in Hyderabad posted on X (formerly Twitter), “First real protest I’ve seen in months that wasn’t just for TikTok. Respect.”
Will This Move the Needle?
That’s the billion-dollar question.
The government, for now, seems unmoved. There’s been no official response from the Ministry of Labour yet. But insiders say talks with trade union representatives could take place later this month.
Most trade unions have hinted that this might not be a one-off.
If the demands aren’t met, another nationwide agitation could be around the corner — potentially bigger, louder, and costlier. “This is just the trailer,” said Amarjeet Kaur of the AITUC. “The full film is yet to come.”
