Ten Central Trade Unions (CTUs), at a National Workers’ Convention held on 9th January 2026 at HKS Bhawan, New Delhi, have called for a countrywide General Strike on 12th February, 2026 against the implementation of the four Labour Codes.
A Charter of Demands was unanimously adopted, and speakers called upon the working class to unite against anti-worker labour policies. The convention demanded the immediate repeal of the Labour Codes and opposed the Government’s move to notify the Rules under them.
The CTUs warned that continued implementation of the Labour Codes would lead to intensified struggles, including multiple-day or indefinite General Strikes and sectoral resistance actions.
The declaration noted that the Labour Codes weaken trade unions and workers’ rights amid rising unemployment, privatisation of PSUs, erosion of democratic rights, price rise, and the commercialisation of education and healthcare.
The trade unions have also threatened of an indefinite strike if the Government does not withdraw the Codes immediately. The CTUs had held five general strikes since the passage of the four Labour Codes in Parliament, between 2019 and 2020.
The biggest fear among employees is the privatisation of public sector organisations. The trade union leaders alleged that the Centre is privatising all strategic Public Sector Undertakings, railways, port and docks, coal mines, oil, steel, defence, roadways, airports, banks, insurance, telecom, postal, atomic energy, electricity generation and supply for the benefit of a few corporate houses of Indian and foreign origin.
They said about sixty five lakh posts are vacant in government services and PSUs and their demands to fill these posts were totally ignored.
