Trade unions in a protest.
Credit: PTI File Photo
New Delhi: Ten central trade unions affiliated to the Opposition have called for a country-wide general strike on February 12, 2026, demanding repeal of four Labour Codes and warned the government that they will go in for multiple day strikes if it moves ahead with framing rules for its implementation.
The decision to call a general strike was taken at a meeting of the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions – INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC – and sectoral federations and associations here on Sunday. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has announced unconditional support to the general strike.
The trade unions said that the government is trying to build a “positive consensus” around the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
“But the workers are determined to fight against the unilateral imposition by the Government and get the Codes repealed,” a joint statement said, adding a meeting of trade unions has decided to give a “strong message” to the Modi government by observing a 'One Day Strike' on February 12.
The date will be formally ratified and a detailed plan of action finalised at the National Workers’ Convention in Delhi on January 9.
“If the government still tries to pursue the notification of Rules under the Codes and does not repeal the Codes, the CTUs will be compelled to go for further strong actions, including a multiple-day general strike, besides sectoral resistance actions,” it said.
The trade unions also urged the Opposition and various sections of the people, especially the youth and students, to support the strike to “save the basic rights of the working people and protect the democratic fabric” of the country.
Sources said one of the issues the trade unions will be highlighting is the new norm for fixed term employment, which they claim would kill permanent jobs and social security, hugely impacting the youth. They believe it would lead to an end of the Constitutionally-guaranteed quota system and in a way, the Labour Codes are a “total demolition of the Constitution”.
Adivasis, Dalits and the backwards would be the communities that would be hugely impacted by the Codes. They claimed that the fixed term employment would be implemented not only in the private sector but also in the public sector.
The meeting of the trade unions also expressed “deep anguish” over the passage of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill and the 'Viksit Bharat -- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB - G RAM G Bill.
It said the SHANTI Act allows private and foreign players to enter “highly risky and hazardous nuclear power production with a motive of profit” with no liability for foreign and national suppliers in case of disasters. Certainly, they said, it is an attack on India’s nuclear security and sovereignty.
On VB - G RAM G Act, they said the new law replaces the rights-based rural employment guarantee by discretion of the Centre and shifts the fiscal burden onto the states. It bans the operation of the Act during harvesting season, ensuring cheap labour to the landlords, it said.
The unions also objected to the Bill allowing 100 per cent FDI in the insurance sector.
“The Government has floated the draft Seed Bill and the draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill. These Bills…will create a disastrous impact on agriculture, domestic and MSME electricity consumers, and the public electricity sector of our country," it said.
The trade unions also took serious note of the “current environmental crisis” in North India, “unbearable” pollution in Delhi-NCR, and the order allowing the destruction of almost 90 per cent of the Aravalli Hills, which have remained the protector of northern India from the expansion of the Thar Desert, it added.