CITU calls upon workers to make February 12 general strike a big success

The call for a nationwide general strike by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) on February 12, following its 18th All India Conference in Visakhapatnam from February 7-11, is a significant development reflecting the ongoing tensions in India's labor landscape. To truly grasp its importance, we must delve into the historical context of trade unionism in India, the current socio-economic environment, and the constitutional framework governing labor rights.

**Background Context and What Happened:**

Trade unions have a long and storied history in India, emerging prominently during the colonial era to fight for workers' rights against exploitative practices. Post-independence, they played a crucial role in shaping industrial policy and ensuring worker welfare. The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), established in 1970, is one of India's largest central trade union federations, affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)). Its conferences often serve as platforms to articulate labor's grievances and strategize collective action. The 18th All India Conference, held over five days in Visakhapatnam, brought together thousands of workers and union leaders. The culmination of this extensive deliberation was the decision to call for a nationwide general strike on February 12. Such strikes are typically a last resort, aimed at drawing the government's attention to critical labor demands, which often include issues like minimum wage, social security, opposition to privatization of public sector undertakings, and the contentious new labor codes.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:**

Several key players are central to this event. Firstly, **CITU** itself, as the primary organizer, represents a significant segment of India's organized labor force. Its leadership articulates the demands and mobilizes workers. Secondly, the **workers and the broader labor force** are the backbone of such movements, directly impacted by policy decisions and the participants in the strike. Their grievances range from stagnant wages and precarious employment conditions to concerns about job security and social protection. Thirdly, the **Government of India (both Central and State)** is the principal target of these demands. Its economic policies, particularly those related to privatization and labor law reforms, are often the catalysts for union agitation. Fourthly, **employers and industry bodies** are also significant stakeholders, as strikes directly impact production, services, and their profitability. They often advocate for 'ease of doing business' reforms, which sometimes clash with labor's demands for stronger protections. Finally, the **general public** is an indirect stakeholder, experiencing the disruptions caused by strikes in transport, banking, and other essential services.

**Significance for India and Historical Context:**

General strikes, or 'Bharat Bandhs,' have a long history in India as powerful tools for collective bargaining and protest. From the railway strikes of the 1970s to the more recent nationwide strikes against economic policies and labor reforms, these actions underscore the democratic right to protest and the collective power of organized labor. This specific call by CITU is significant because it highlights persistent socio-economic challenges in India, such as rising unemployment, inflation, and the perceived erosion of workers' rights due to recent legislative changes. For India, a large-scale strike can have immediate economic repercussions, including production losses and disruption of services. Politically, it puts pressure on the ruling government, especially in an election cycle, forcing it to acknowledge labor's concerns. Socially, it brings issues of worker welfare, economic inequality, and the future of labor reforms to the forefront of national discourse.

**Related Constitutional Articles, Acts, and Policies:**

The foundation of labor rights in India is enshrined in its Constitution and various legislative acts. The **Right to Freedom of Association** is guaranteed under **Article 19(1)(c)**, allowing workers to form unions. While the Constitution does not explicitly grant the right to strike, it is generally considered an implied right derived from the right to form associations and the freedom of speech and expression (**Article 19(1)(a) and (b)**), albeit subject to reasonable restrictions. The **Trade Unions Act, 1926**, provides for the registration and regulation of trade unions. The **Industrial Disputes Act, 1947**, is crucial as it governs industrial relations, including the legality of strikes and lockouts, requiring specific procedures before a strike can be declared. More recently, the Indian government has consolidated 44 central labor laws into four comprehensive **Labor Codes (2020)**: the Code on Wages, the Industrial Relations Code, the Code on Social Security, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code. These codes have been a major point of contention for trade unions like CITU, which argue that they dilute workers' rights, make it harder to form unions, and ease the process of retrenchment. Furthermore, the **Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)**, though not enforceable, guide the state in formulating policies aimed at ensuring a living wage (**Article 43**), just and humane conditions of work (**Article 42**), and workers' participation in management (**Article 43A**).

**Future Implications:**

The success and impact of the February 12 strike will largely depend on the level of participation and the government's response. If the strike garners widespread support, it could compel the government to re-evaluate or engage in dialogue regarding its labor policies, particularly the implementation of the new Labor Codes. It could also galvanize further joint actions by various trade unions, potentially leading to sustained agitation. Conversely, if the strike has limited impact, it might weaken the collective bargaining power of unions in the short term. Regardless, such events underscore the continuing relevance of organized labor in India's democratic framework and its role in advocating for social justice and equitable economic development. The interplay between government policy, industrial demands, and labor's assertion of rights will continue to shape India's economic and social trajectory.