Bharat Bandh Against Labour Codes Partially Disrupts Banking and Insurance Sectors
The Bharat Bandh, a nationwide strike called to protest against four contentious labour codes, had a partial impact on banking operations and government insurance companies across India. According to union sources, most central government departments continued their work as usual, with minimal disruption to daily administrative functions.
Banking Sector Sees Selective Participation
In the banking sector, the strike was led by the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), which organized protests that affected cash movement in many banks. However, employees of the State Bank of India (SBI) did not participate in the agitation, as AIBEA does not have a presence within SBI. This selective participation highlights the fragmented nature of union representation in India's banking industry.
Jaywant Gurwey, chairman of the Eastern Maharashtra Bank Employees Association (EMBEA), reported that cash transactions were halted in participating banks, potentially affecting business worth approximately Rs 1,800 crore. This estimate excludes transactions that were successfully processed through online banking channels, which remained operational during the strike.
Government Departments and Other Sectors Largely Unaffected
In other sectors, the impact was limited. The RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) chose not to take part in the Bharat Bandh, reducing the strike's overall reach. State government employees' unions offered moral support to the protesting unions but did not actively join the strike, according to a union leader.
At Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), the loss of work due to permanent employees participating in the strike was compensated by contractual workers. A union leader noted that, unlike in the past when such strikes significantly impacted coal production—crucial for the power sector—the increasing reliance on contractual labor has mitigated these effects.
Most central government officials participated only in lunch-hour demonstrations, with work continuing normally in departments such as the accountant general's office and income tax. A source from the Confederation of Trade Unions confirmed that the strike primarily affected banks and government insurance companies, with other government departments operating without major interruptions.
Protests and Demonstrations
Meanwhile, bank employees affiliated with AIBEA, the All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA), and the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) gathered at Samvidhan Chowk to voice their opposition to the labour codes. The protesters were addressed by EMBEA chairman Jaywant Gurwey and general secretary Suresh Bobhate, who emphasized the unions' demands for the withdrawal of the codes.
The partial success of the Bharat Bandh underscores the ongoing debate over labour reforms in India, with unions arguing that the new codes could undermine workers' rights and protections. As the government pushes for economic modernization, such strikes highlight the tensions between policy implementation and labor interests.
