Lakhs of workers across India went on strike in protest at planned labour law reforms, the biggest show of strength by trade unions since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office.
They say labour reforms planned by Modi’s government will put jobs at risk, and are demanding it scrap changes that would make it easier to lay off workers and shut down unproductive factories.
All India Trade Union Congress secretary Gurudas Dasgupta said the response had been “magnificent” and estimated over 150 million workers participated in the strike, although this could not be independently confirmed.
The strike – the biggest in India for more than two years – included staff at state-run banks and mines as well as some factory, construction and transport workers.
“This strike is a reminder to the government that it must consult the millions of employees (affected) before changing the labour laws,” striking bank worker Amit Khanna told AFP in New Delhi.
Most cities remained peaceful, but clashes between police and activists broke out in West Bengal, which has a long history of left-wing union activism.
Television footage showed police lathicharge protesters in Kolkata and drag away women strikers who had staged a sit-in, while protesters threw stones and smashed vehicles.
