Trade unions' strike affects coal, banking sectors in Jharkhand

The nationwide general strike has been called by the Joint Platform of Trade Unions, which comprises 10 central trade unions (CTUs) along with independent all-India sectoral federations and associations.

The strike has been supported by the trade unions and various political parties, including the Left, JMM, Congress and RJD in the state.

The trade union leaders claimed that the production, loading and dispatch of coal in Jharkhand-based mines have been completely affected as coal miners were on strike.

The officials of BCCL, CCL and ECL, however, said that there was no major impact. The officials said they would issue a bulletin on the impact after the final assessment in the evening.

Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) national vice-president Brajendra Prasad Singh claimed the strike was a success as workers in mining, banking and insurance, among other sectors, were on strike.

Umesh Das, deputy general secretary of Bank of India Employees Union, Jharkhand, said that banking services remained affected in all banks, excluding the State Bank of India and private banks.

In Ranchi, different trade unions and workers from various political parties such as Left, JMM, Congress and RJD jointly took out two rallies in the state capital in support of their 17-point charter of demands, including the repeal of the four labour codes.

The rallies were taken out from Sainik Market and Kutchery and they culminated in a public meeting at Albert Ekka Chowk.

"The four labour codes were made to exploit workers by weakening their protections and reducing social security benefits," All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Jharkhand unit general secretary Suvendu Sen said.

However, the impact of the strike was not witnessed in the streets and markets of the state capital. Public transport was also remained unaffected.

In Hazaribag, bandh supporters blocked the Zila Parishad Chowk connecting with NH-33 for some time, but it was later cleared by the police.

The union leaders claimed coal production was badly affected in Charhi area. The Hazaribag administration, however, claimed there was no impact of the strike on coal production.

The strike supporters also blocked roads in several places in Palamu district.

CPI state secretary Mahendra Pathak said the strike was called to oppose the central government's "anti-worker policies".

"Our demands include doing away with the four labour codes, contractualisation, privatisation of PSUs, increasing minimum wages among others," he said.

The general strike, initially scheduled for May 20, was postponed following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor.