Bank trade unions to join strike on July 9

India is bracing for a massive nationwide general strike on Wednesday, with over 25 crore workers from banking, insurance, postal services, coal mining, and other sectors expected to walk off the job. The strike called by a joint platform of 10 central trade unions has been dubbed a Bharat Bandh, aiming to protest against the central government’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, and pro-corporate policies.”

The strike is expected to paralyse several key sectors. “Banking, postal, coal mining, factories, and state transport services will be affected due to the strike,” said Harbhajan Singh Sidhu of the Hind Mazdoor Sabha.

Intensive mobilisation has been underway for months in both formal and informal sectors, said Amarjeet Kaur of the All India Trade Union CongressCongressCongress (AITUC). Farmers and rural workers are also expected to join protests across the country.