Workers join Bharat bandh in Maharashtra, demand to scrap new labour codes

Hundreds of workers associated with the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) and other trade organisations in Maharashtra joined the nationwide strike, staging a protest on Thursday (February 12, 2026) against the implementation of four labour codes in the country.

The protesting unions claimed that the central government-implemented four labour codes lacked clarity on guaranteed benefits for unorganised and gig workers, while the Occupational Safety Code allegedly relaxed compliance requirements and inspections. “The 29 existing labour laws reduce the protections hard-won over decades,” the unions highlighted during the protest in Mumbai.

“Four labour codes are designed to weaken and destroy the trade unions. Cancellation of TU registration is made easy. Permanent employment will be replaced by fixed-term employment with hire and fire. Closures of factories are made easy. Organising a legal strike is made difficult, and the government will put you in jail for an illegal strike. Provident Fund contribution is reduced, and working hours can be increased to 12 hours per day,” said Shailendra Chauhan, General Secretary of Mumbai, CITU. 

A deserted view of a bank during the nationwide strike to protest against the various central government policies, in Mumbai on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
ANI

At least 22 workers’ organisation, including Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), CITU, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (Farmer organization),Bombay University and College Teachers’ Union (BUCTU), and National Rail Major union under the leadership of the Joint Action Committee of workers’ and employees’ organisations decided to launch the protest against the Central government’s labour codes concerning workers and farmers. CITU, AITUC, and RWPI agitated in front of the Maharashtra Construction Workers Welfare Board in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex area.

RWPI activist Baban Thoke said, “One of the four labour codes, Industrial Relations Code, makes it easier for companies with up to 300 workers to lay off staff without prior government approval, weakens the right to strike by imposing stricter notice conditions, which I fear will reduce job security and sap the trade unions.” 

Maharashtra Congress also extended its support to the Bharat Bandh. State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal called the government policies anti-worker and anti-farmer and instructed party office-bearers to join the protest.

 Shiv Sena MLC Sachin Ahir also joined the protest and called the four labour code as “hire and fire policy”. Mr. Ahir said that the government is forcefully imposing the policies on the workers and building a narrative that they have given a gift to the working-class people. “The 29 laws were earned after putting sweat and blood into it; now they are trying to shrink it, which is unacceptable,” said Mr. Ahir, asking why the government has not invited the dignitaries of 22 organisations for discussion and hear their contentions.

CITU demanded prevention of exploitation by developers, builders and other contractors, formation of a committee with police, labour representatives, municipal corporation, police, etc. Their demands also included health check-ups, starting of pension for workers above the age of 65, scrapping the mid-day meal scheme and payment of ₹2000 per month to the workers’ account. They added that work should be given at the construction sites under the MMRDA, Metro, railways, state and central government’s ongoing projects, and others.