Nationwide Bharat Bandh Strike Set for February 12, 2026

A nationwide strike, known as Bharat Bandh, called by a joint platform of 10 central trade unions and supported by farmers' organizations, is set to disrupt key services across India on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The action, backed by the Indian National Congress, targets opposition to the central government's four new labor codes and a recent India-US trade agreement, with protests expected in over 600 districts involving around 30 crore workers from various sectors.

The strike unites unions including 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. Organizers aim to highlight concerns that the labor codes, which consolidate 29 previous laws, diminish worker protections, ease hiring and firing practices, and exclude many informal sector employees from benefits like social security and fair wages. Additional demands include halting privatization of public sector enterprises, corporatization of...