New Delhi: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi Thursday in support of nationwide protests by workers and farmers demanding protection of their rights. He expressed concerns over labor reforms, trade policy and potential changes in the rural employment scheme MGNREGA.“Workers fear that four labor laws will curtail their rights. Farmers fear that trade deals will harm their livelihoods. Weakening or repealing MGNREGA could take away the last lifeline for villages. Their voices are ignored when decisions are taken that affect their future,” he posted on X.“Will Modi listen now? Or is his ‘control’ too strong? I stand firmly with workers and farmers on their issues and struggles,” Rahul added.The pan-India general strike called by ten Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and supported by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Thursday was aimed at opposing a host of government policies, including four labor laws, privatization and contractualization measures, the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, MGNREGA amendments and the proposed Seeds Bill.Massive participation by farmers, agricultural workers and industrial unions is expected at protest sites across the country, and will also be joined by power sector employees, PRTC staff and other workers’ organizations.The strike seeks repeal of four labor laws, the Electricity Bill 2025, the Seeds Bill 2025 and the VB-G RAM G Bill 2025, among others, SKM said in a statement. It also calls for the restoration of old pension schemes and the introduction of a minimum wage for all workers, including scheme workers.Binoy Viswam, leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and working president of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), expressed full support for the nationwide farmers’ strike, calling it a movement to defend the basic rights of the people.Apple growers in Himachal Pradesh are also gearing up to join the nationwide farmers’ strike on February 12 and have announced a march to Delhi, warning that recent import tariff cuts under India-US and other free trade agreements could harm the state’s apple-based economy.While Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has repeatedly assured that the interests of Indian apple growers will be safeguarded, there are concerns that cheap imports may impact local growers.While several unions and farmer organizations have decided to join the strike, the National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU) has said it will not participate and described the protests as “politically motivated”.
