Bharat Bandh: Two day nationwide strike; Electricity, banking, railways services may be hit

A joint forum of central trade unions, supported by the All India Bank Employees Association, has called for a nationwide strike today (March 28) and tomorrow (March 29) against the Central government’s policies affecting workers, farmers, and people in general which began at 6 am.

A few reasons for the strike are reduced rate of interest on Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation and rising fuel prices.

According to a statement by the trade unions, roadways, transport workers and electricity workers have also decided to join the strike. Workers from various other sectors such as coal, steel, oil, telecom, postal, income tax, copper, and insurance are also expected to participate in the strike.

Even the State Bank of India (SBI) has said that banking services may get affected due to the strike.

Bank unions are protesting against the government’s move to privatise two public sector banks as announced in this year’s Union Budget.

However, the nationwide strike may have limited impact in West Bengal as the Mamata Banerjee-led government has issued an order saying all of its offices including those provided with Grants-in-Aid by the State Government will remain open.

The memorandum issued on Saturday states, “In view of call given by different trade unions and others for a 48 hours nationwide strike/bandh on 28th and 29th March, 2022, it has been decided that all State Government offices including those provided with Grants-in-Aid by the State Government shall remain open and all the employees shall report for duty on those days.”

The memorandum also stated that no casual leave or any other leave will not be granted to any employee.