General strike on new labour codes: Protests in Hubballi and Dharwad

Trade unions and employees' associations organized protests in Hubballi and Dharwad on February 12 as part of a nationwide general strike called by JCTU against the new labor codes. The unions protested against proposed privatization, mergers, foreign capital investment in public sector banks, outsourcing, recruitment policies, and the implementation of the new labor codes. They argued that the amendments weaken worker protections and freedom, including increasing the minimum number of members required to form a trade union. CITU State Secretary Mahesh Pattar stated that these laws would remove the right to form a union, minimum wages, and negotiation rights if implemented from April 1st, while Stephen, General Secretary of the Hubballi Dharwad Employees’ Association, claimed that the Karnataka government has not opposed these laws despite their negative impact.