Trade Unions Protest Rollback of Four Labour Codes – Nationwide Strike Highlights Worker Dissent

Overview On Wednesday, 1 April 2026 , trade union leaders gathered near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the GVMC Administrative Building to demand the reversal of the four Labour Codes . The protest was organised by unions affiliated with major political parties and underscored growing discontent among the working class. Key Developments Union leaders, including Ch. Narasinga Rao , State General Secretary of the CITU , addressed the crowd, recalling the historic struggle for workers’ rights. The protest demanded that the government undo the consolidation of 44 Acts into four Labour Codes , which they claim “deprive workers of their rights”. Unions reported that over 30 crore workers participated in a nation‑wide strike on 12 February 2026 against the new codes. Workers wore black badges at their workplaces on the day of the protest to signal solidarity. Representatives from AITUC , YSRTUC and other bodies joined the demonstration. Important Facts The Modi-led Central Government has, since 2020, merged 44 separate labour statutes into four comprehensive codes. Union leaders argue that this consolidation weakens existing safeguards such as the right to collective bargaining, job security, and social security benefits. They contend that the original Acts were the result of a 140‑year struggle against colonial exploitation, culminating in a robust legal framework for workers. UPSC Relevance Understanding the dynamics of labour reforms is essential for GS3: Economy . The protest highlights the intersection of policy‑making, political ideology, and mass mobilisation, topics that feature in GS2: Polity . Candidates should note the role of trade‑union federations like CITU , AITUC , and regional bodies in shaping labour policy debates. Way Forward Unions have pledged a “relentless fight” against the four Labour Codes . Potential next steps include: Legal challenges in the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the codes. Further nationwide strikes or localized protests to pressure the government. Negotiations between the Ministry of Labour and trade‑union leaders for amendments that restore specific worker protections. For aspirants, tracking the evolution of these reforms will aid in answering questions on labour legislation, industrial relations, and the political economy of India.