Ten trade unions have claimed that there will be about 25 crore people taking part in nationwide call for strike today, January, 8. The strike is called by trade unions against what they allege as "anti-people" policies of this government. The declaration for this strike was adopted in September 2019 by unions like INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, LPF, and UTUC among various independent federations.

The joint statement by the 10 organisations claims that not less than 25 crore people will be participating in the strike today. The unions have demanded reversal of "anti-working class, anti-people and the anti-national policies" allegedly implemented by this government. The unions in the joint statement have also accused the labour ministry of doing little to assure the workers of their demand. The unions have also condemned the violence on JNU campus and similar incidents in university campuses across India.

Apart from trade unions, farmers across the country under the banner of Leaft Peasant Wings will also be part of the strike. Bhumi Adhikar Andolan will observe Gramin Hartal, rail rook, and road rook on January 8 and 9.

This move is against the Modi government's failure to address rural distress issues, to save rural farmers' lands from the corporate. The farmers will extend all support to the ensuing general strike," Handan Mollah, General Secretary of the CPI (M)-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha, told the media.

The strike will also be supported by four unions including that Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will extend their support to the protests. Autorickshaws and cab drivers are also likely to join the protests.

Banking, transport and other services across the country are also likely to be hit by the strike.

Several banks have already informed stock exchanges about the Wednesday strike and its impact on banking services.

Various bank employee associations, including AIBEA, All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA), BEFI, INBEF, INBOC and Bank Karmachari Sena Mahasangh (BKSM), have expressed their willingness to take part in the strike.

Banking services like deposit and withdrawal, cheque clearing and instrument issuance are expected to be impacted due to the strike.

In West Bengal, trade unions affiliated to Left and other parties called for a bandh against the economic policies of the BJP-led government at the Centre.

However, the state government said it will not support any bandh.

The central government, meanwhile, has asked public sector undertakings to dissuade their employees from participating in the 'Bharat Bandh' called on Wednesday and advised them to prepare a contingency plan to ensure smooth functioning of the enterprises.

( With inputs from PTI )