Kerala is set to come to a standstill as a 24-hour nationwide strike called by major trade unions begins at midnight tonight and continues until midnight on Thursday. The strike has been jointly called by 10 central trade unions, including the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), in protest against the Centre’s labour codes and several other key policies.
Widespread protests and rallies will be held at over 1,000 locations across India, with around 500 protest centres in Kerala alone. The unions are demanding the withdrawal of the labour codes, restoration of the employment guarantee scheme, and rollback of the Electricity Bill and the Seed Amendment Bill. Opposition parties, including Left groups, have declared solidarity, while teacher and student bodies, farmers’ organisations, women’s and youth groups, along with central and state government employees, insurance and defence sector staff, have pledged support. Trade union leaders have appealed to the public to cooperate by avoiding travel, keeping shops closed and staying away from work during the strike.
