New Delhi: Leaders of 10 central trade unions announced on Monday that an estimated 30-40 crore workers and farmers will participate in a nationwide general strike on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, according to a joint press conference. The strike aims to challenge the central government’s economic policies, which the unions claim prioritize corporate interests over workers’ rights.
In a collective statement, the trade unions expressed their ongoing opposition to the privatization of public sector enterprises and services, as well as the increasing reliance on outsourcing, contractual, and casual labor. They criticized the government’s four Labour Codes, which they argue are designed to undermine trade unions, suppress collective bargaining, and erode the right to strike. The unions also accused the government of decriminalizing employer violations of labor laws while imposing stricter penalties on union activities.
The strike is expected to involve workers from key sectors, including coal and minerals, steel, banking, insurance, power, petroleum, telecommunications, and transportation, all of which have formally notified their intent to participate. The trade unions highlighted broader economic concerns, such as rising unemployment, soaring prices of essential goods, wage suppression, and reduced public spending on education, health, and civic amenities. These policies, they argue, have deepened inequality and hardship for the poor, low-income groups, and middle classes.
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“The government has abandoned its role as a welfare state and is clearly acting in the interests of domestic and foreign corporations,” the union leaders stated. The strike represents a unified call for policy reforms to address these grievances and protect workers’ and farmers’ rights.