Joint forum of trade unions, farmers bodies to go on strike on February 16

A joint forum of trade unions and farmers bodies has given a call for a nationwide general strike and Grameen Bandh (rural close down) on February 16, to protest ‘against the anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national policies’ of the central government. The forum is pressing for their demands which include higher minimum (crop MSP) support price, minimum wage of Rs 26,000 per month for workers, repeal of four labour codes, repeal amendments made to IPC/CrPC, guaranteed employment as fundamental right etc.

“We appeal to all the like-minded movements of students, youth, teachers, women, the social movements and those in the field of art, culture, literature to extend support to the joint campaigns and culminating actions of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKU) and the platform of Central Trade Unions, Federations/Associations on 16th February,” a joint statement said. It further stated that SKM and CTUs/Federations/Associations call for a countrywide massive mobilisations at different levels along with the Industrial/Sectoral Strike and Grameen Bandh on February 16, 2024 “against the anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national policies of the central government