After the talks between farmers’ leaders and the Centre failed to break the deadlock regarding the three new farm laws, the farmer organizations called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ (national strike) on December 8, 2020.
Around 51 trade unions across the country have extended their support for the Bharath Bandh against the three farm laws passed by the Indian Government in September during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament.
The trade unions include:
- Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
- All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)
- Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS)
- Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)
- All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC)
- Trade Union Co-ordination Centre (TUCC)
- Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA)
- All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU)
- Labour Progressive Federation (LPF)
- United Trade Union Congress (UTUC)
- The Indian Tourist Transporters Association (ITTA India)
- Delhi Goods Transport Association
“Wholehearted support to the ongoing united struggles of the farmers demanding to scrap the draconian agri laws,” said a joint statement of the unions.
Likewise, the President of ITTA Satish Sherawat said, “51 unions have decided to support the farmers. Farming and transportation are like two sons of the same father.”
“We are supporting our farmer brothers. They are the roots of our business,” said Parmeet Singh, Chief of the Delhi Goods Transport Association.
The Indian Government enacted three farm laws:
- Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020
- Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020
- Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020
The government said that these laws are significant reforms in the agricultural sector, which will remove the middlemen and improve the farmers’ income.
However, the farmers have started protesting against the laws claiming that the laws end the minimum support price system and give corporates total control over the agriculture sector.
Also Read| Farm Bills 2020 explained – Why are Farmers Protesting?
Thousands of farmers have already blocked Delhi border entry points connecting with Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
These services may be affected during Bharath Band:
Transportation services, especially in Delhi, are expected to be affected as several auto and taxi unions have already called for strike in solidarity with the farmers’ protest. Banking services may also be affected tomorrow as several bank unions have extended their support to the protest.
Moreover, the supply of milk, vegetables would be affected during the Bharat Bandh.
However, healthcare, emergency, and ambulance services will remain unaffected.
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