Union workers march in Ernakulam on Thursday (February 12, 2026). Photo credit: H. Vibhu
Daily travel, governance, public service delivery and commercial activities in Kerala came to a standstill in the first hours of a 24-hour statewide general strike called by trade unions on Thursday (February 12, 2026).
At least 12 national unions are protesting the central government’s “anti-worker and blatantly pro-corporate” labor codes. They demanded their immediate return.
Bharat Bandh LIVE: Central unions observe nationwide strike against Centre’s ‘anti-labour’ policies
The general strike resonated strongly with the rural population, shaken by the Centre’s decision to “scuttle” the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), which provided minimum wage days for unskilled workers.
The ruling front and the opposition in Kerala have accused the Center of replacing the scheme with a watered-down version and reducing federal allocations for rural employment. The unions demanded that the Center should immediately restore MGNREGS.
Transport sector affected
Industrial action was most acutely felt in the state’s transport sector. Public and private stage transport ground to a halt, stranding commuters and reducing attendance at government offices and private establishments.
Autorickshaws remained off the road. The strike has hit the taxi service and online food ordering and delivery services hard. Hotels and restaurants have largely closed their doors. The main markets, especially Chalai in Thiruvananthapuram, looked deserted. The strike disrupted interstate trucking as truckers parked on lots and along national and state highways. The tourism industry was also affected, with bookings being cancelled.
The general strike also disrupted the academic calendar. The general strike was supported by school and university teachers’ unions and student organizations. Most schools and colleges have closed their doors. Government offices, including the Government Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, were attended by few people despite the Kerala government declaring dies non on Thursday.
Left-wing trade unionists, bank and state administration employees, pensioners and farmers declared solidarity with the striking unions. The unions also demanded the withdrawal of the “right-wing revanchist” National Education Policy (NEP) introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government.
Commuters were stranded outside the Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station on Thursday as a strike called by trade unions hit the transport sector hard. | Photo credit: Nirmal Harindran
Unions have exempted private roads, including airports, railway stations and hospitals, from the general strike. The Kochi Metro was running as usual. Train services operated as usual. Government hospitals saw a relatively low number of outpatients, with many doctors delaying due to the general strike.
In Wayanad, strike supporters briefly detained a KSRTC long-distance bus. In Thiruvananthapuram, KSRTC operated skeleton services with police escort to transport persons alighting at Thampanoor Railway Terminal to Government Medical College Hospital and Regional Cancer Center (RCC) for their medical appointments.
Leaders and supporters of Left parties are taking part in a march in Kannur on Thursday as part of a nationwide strike. | Photo credit: SK Mohan
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan said the strike would not disrupt the Puthuyuga Yatra plan of the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Congress, unions and service organizations said they would observe the strike independently of left-wing unions.
The general strike ends at midnight on Friday.
Published – 12 Feb 2026 11:05 AM IST