Members of various trade unions participate in a nationwide strike to protest various policies of the central government in Mumbai on Thursday, February 12, 2026. Photo credit: ANI
Hundreds of workers associated with the Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and other trade organizations in Maharashtra joined a nationwide strike on Thursday (February 12, 2026) to protest the implementation of four labor codes in the country.
The protesting unions claimed that the four labor codes introduced by the central government lacked clear information on guaranteed benefits for unorganized and gig workers, while the Labor Safety Code reportedly eased compliance and inspection requirements. “The 29 existing labor laws are reducing hard-won protections over decades,” the unions pointed out during a protest in Mumbai.
“The four labor codes are designed to weaken and destroy unions. Deregistration of TU is easy. Permanent employment will be replaced by fixed-term employment with hire and fire. Factory closings are made easy. It is difficult to organize a legal strike and the government will imprison you for an illegal strike. Provident fund contribution is reduced and working hours can be increased to 12, General Secretary Chaudrahani General Secretary Shaudramhani CITU.
A deserted view of a bank during a nationwide strike to protest various central government policies in Mumbai on Thursday, February 12, 2026. | Photo credit: ANI
At least 22 labor organizations including Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), CITU, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (farmers’ organization), Bombay University and College Teachers’ Union (BUCTU) and National Rail Major Union led by the Joint Action Committee of Labor and Employees Organizations decided to launch a protest against the Central Government Labor Codes and the farmers. CITU, AITUC and RWPI agitated in front of the Maharashtra Construction Workers Welfare Board in the Bandra-Kurla Complex area of Mumbai.
RWPI activist Baban Thoke said: “One of the four labor codes, the Industrial Relations Code, makes it easier for companies with up to 300 employees to fire workers without prior government approval, weakens the right to strike by imposing stricter notice conditions, which I fear will reduce job security and weaken unions.
Maharashtra Congress also extended its support to Bharat Bandh. State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal called the government’s policies anti-labour and anti-farmer and ordered party officials to join the protest.
Shiv Sena MLC Sachin Ahir also joined the protest and termed the four labor codes as “hiring and firing politics”. Mr. Ahir said that the government is forcefully imposing policies on the workers and creating a narrative that they have given a gift to the working class. “The 29 laws were earned after they put their sweat and blood into it; now they are trying to reduce it, which is unacceptable,” Mr Ahir said, asking why the government did not invite the dignitaries of the 22 organizations for a discussion and listen to their contentions.
CITU demanded prevention of exploitation by developers, builders and other contractors, formation of a committee with police, union representatives, municipal authorities, police etc. Among their demands were health check-ups, retirement for workers above 65 years, abolition of mid-day meals and payment of ₹2,000 per month to workers’ account. They added that work should be done on construction sites under MMRDA, metro, railways, ongoing state and central government projects and others.
Published – 13 Feb 2026 10:55 IST