Nationwide Strike Against New Labour Codes Begins; Collieries, Banks and Transport Hit Across Jharkhand

Ranchi: A nationwide general strike called by central trade unions against the new labour codes began on Thursday, severely impacting normal life across Jharkhand. Coal mines, industrial units, banks, and transport services were affected in several districts, including Dhanbad, Bokaro, Jamshedpur, and Giridih.

The strike, called in protest against the four new labour codes notified by the Centre, has led to a near-total shutdown in major coal-producing regions. Trade unions have termed the new laws “anti-worker” and warned of an indefinite strike if their demands are not met.

Coal Production and Transport Disrupted in Bokaro

In Bokaro, operations in CCL’s Kathara area, including Kathara Colliery, Kathara Washery, and Jarangdih, were badly hit. Most machines remained idle, and coal transportation was completely halted.

Attendance figures reflected the impact of the strike. In Kathara Colliery, only 66 out of 308 workers reported for duty across shifts. At Kathara Washery, 109 out of 308 workers were present. In Swang Colliery, 73 out of 385 workers attended duty, while in Govindpur underground mines, 75 out of 104 workers were present in the first shift. Similar low attendance was recorded at RR Shop Jarangdih.

Production and dispatch operations were largely suspended in several units.

Widespread Impact in Dhanbad Coal Belt

In coal-rich Dhanbad, the strike was visible from early morning. Leaders of the Joint Trade Union Front staged protests near the Shatabdi attendance office in Area 1. Coal production and dispatch at Shatabdi Colliery were halted.

Union representatives alleged that the four labour codes directly attack workers’ rights and weaken trade unions. They claimed the new laws make it easier for employers to hire and fire workers, promote contract and fixed-term employment, and dilute social security protections such as ESI and PF.

However, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) is not participating in the nationwide strike.

Road Blockades and Arrests

In Giridih district, the strike had a widespread impact, with CPI-ML workers blocking roads in areas such as Gawan, Jamua, and Ghorthamba, disrupting vehicular movement.

In Deoghar’s Chitra Colliery area, police detained several striking workers who had taken to the streets in support of the bandh.

Massive Participation Claimed

Unions affiliated with AITUC, HMS, CITU, and INTUC have joined the strike. Trade union leaders claim that nearly 10 lakh workers in Jharkhand are participating. The coal, steel, and banking sectors are expected to be the worst affected.

Preparations for the strike had been underway for days, with gate meetings and pit meetings conducted across coal company offices to mobilize workers.

Torch Rally in Ranchi

On Wednesday, trade unions organized a torchlight procession in Ranchi, appealing to the public to support the general strike. Representatives from various workers’ organizations, scheme workers, farmers, and agricultural labourers participated.

Union leaders alleged that the new labour codes pave the way for extending working hours up to 12 hours a day, restrict the right to strike, weaken permanent employment, and make layoffs and closures easier. They also claimed that 70 per cent of factory workers and 90 per cent of unorganized workers could be pushed out of the effective protection of labour laws once the new codes are fully implemented.

The rally was led by leaders including Ashok Yadav (AITUC), Mahendra Pathak (Kisan Sabha), Ajay Singh, Shubhendu Sen (ACTU), Mohan Dutta, Bhim Sahu, Prakash Viplav (CITU), SK Rai, Pratik Mishra, Prafull Linda (Adivasi Adhikar Manch), Sukhnath Lohra, Birendra Kumar (Jharkhand Khet Mazdoor Union), and Naveen Choudhary.

Bank Employees Extend Support

Bank employees’ unions under the Joint Trade Union Forum, Ranchi, have also extended support to the February 12 strike. While bank branches remain officially open, services are likely to be affected due to the participation of clerical and subordinate staff.

Union Bank Employees’ Organization Jharkhand General Secretary Dinesh Kumar Sharma said the strike is also aimed at pressing long-pending demands. ML Singh, General Secretary of the Bank Employees Federation of Jharkhand, said the four new labour codes, notified in November 2025, will replace 29 existing labour laws.

Bank employees also staged a protest outside Pradhan Tower on Wednesday in support of the strike.

Political Support

The Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee has extended moral support to the strike. State Congress General Secretary and Media In-charge Rakesh Sinha said the strike is primarily against labour reforms introduced by the BJP-led government, which he claimed have weakened job security and legal safeguards for workers.

State Congress President Keshav Mahto Kamlesh has directed district Congress committees to show solidarity with workers and farmers during the democratic protest.

JCMU Backs One-Day Strike

The Jharkhand Colliery Mazdoor Union (JCMU) has also supported the one-day strike and sent a notice to Coal India Limited management regarding its nine-point charter of demands. Central General Secretary Fagu Besra said the Centre must withdraw the four labour codes to protect workers’ existing rights, service conditions, and social security benefits.

The union clarified that the strike would be conducted in a peaceful, disciplined, and democratic manner.

As the day progresses, authorities are closely monitoring the situation amid concerns that prolonged disruption in coal production and banking services could have wider economic implications.