A joint platform of ten Central Trade Unions (CTUs) has given a call here on Tuesday (December 21, 2025) for a general strike on February 12, 2026 against the implementation of the four new Labour Codes, amendments to MGNREGA, Insurance Act and various civil nuclear liability and nuclear energy laws.
The CTUs, in a joint statement, alleged that the changes in the laws are a multi-pronged attack on people’s rights and entitlements. A national convention of workers, scheduled here on January 9, will formally ratify the call to strike.
‘Blatant attacks on people’
“If the government still tries to pursue the notification of rules under the codes and does not repeal them, the CTUs will be compelled to go for further strong actions, including a multiple-day general strike, besides sectoral resistance actions,” the statement said.
The unions expressed deep anguish over the “blatant attacks” on people by the Narendra Modi government inside and outside Parliament.
“The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act will allow private and foreign players to enter highly risky and hazardous nuclear power production with the motive of profit-making; it has withdrawn the liability of foreign and national suppliers of instruments in case of accidents or disasters – certainly, it is an attack on the nuclear security and sovereignty of our country,” the statement added.
The trade unions alleged that the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act replaces a rights-based Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), and shifts the fiscal burden onto the States. “It bans the operation of the Act during harvesting season, ensuring cheap labour to the landlords,” the CTUs said. They added that 100% FDI in the insurance sector will practically give foreign players the right to take over domestic insurance companies.
Against other ‘draconian attacks’
“The Central government has placed the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, in both Houses of Parliament, though it could not be passed in this session. The government has floated the Draft Seed Bill and the Draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025. These Bills, if placed and passed, will create a disastrous impact on agriculture, domestic and MSME electricity consumers, and the public electricity sector of our country,” the statement said.
The CTUs also took serious note of the current “environmental crisis” in the northern parts of India, unbearable pollution in Delhi-NCR, and the “dangerous Supreme Court order” allowing the destruction of almost 90% of Aravalli Hills, which have remained the protector of northern India from expansion of Thar desert.
“CTUs extend strong solidarity to the people and movements who are fighting against all of these draconian attacks. The CTUs salute Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) for their unconditional support to the general strike,” the statement added.
Published – December 23, 2025 11:14 pm IST
