THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
A statewide strike called by unions representing agricultural, rural and informal workers on Thursday (February 12) demanding the repeal of four labor codes and the withdrawal of several proposed and existing policies affecting laborers and farmers is expected to assume bandh proportions in Kerala.
Banking operations, transport services and government offices in many areas are expected to be affected. However, essential services such as hospitals, dispensaries, airports, medical facilities, milk distribution, private offices and ATMs are exempt from the tax.
Unions say the four labor codes will weaken labor protections, limit the right to strike, weaken social security measures and favor corporate interests. The list of demands also includes restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, repeal of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Electricity and Seeds Act, repeal of amendments affecting land, agriculture and labour, introduction of revised minimum wages, social security for unorganized workers, regularization of contract workers, measures to control the rise in prices of agricultural produce and other minimum support prices.
Ten major trade unions are participating in the strike, including the Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).
Ahead of the strike on Wednesday, CPI(M) general secretary MABaby said the four labor codes were not just counter-labour but legal documents meant to enslave the working class to corporate houses.
“The government has scrapped 29 labor laws achieved over decades of struggle and replaced them with four codes to get a grip on workers’ rights. Older and sick workers are being left to fend for themselves by weakening social security systems such as EPF, ESI and pensions. There are plans to increase working hours to 12 hours, which is a violation of international labor standards and will destroy the health of Eastern Company workers.”
Published – 11 Feb 2026 20:13 IST