Maharashtra joins 300 million workers in all India

Mumbai: Maharashtra joined a staggering 300 million workers in the government and private sector, the financial sector, banks and financial institutions, and the farming community across the country for a day's token strike protesting what they alleged was the government's 'anti-exployees' policies here on Wednesday, a top organiser said.

The strike which started at daybreak mostly hit the finance and business sectors on which the entire commercial capital of the country is dependent on, as large sections government, ports, college professors, state transport and other sectors enthusiastically joined in.

"The strike in the banking and financial services sector is near-total. State transport buses are virtually off roads, as also work at the Mumbai Port Trust. Maharashtra's 1.50 million government employees are also joining in. Some private sector companies and offices affiliated to major unions are also close," said All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) vice president V Utagi.

However, public buses and suburban local trains were not hit but their unions are lending moral support to the striking umbrella unions. A section of cabs and autorickshaws also joined the strike, which Utagi described as "a major success".

He said that is the first ever all India major action by farmers and employees since the NDA-II headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office.

Later in the day, thousands of employees, their unions and representatives shall hold a mega rally in south Mumbai to highlight the success of Wednesday's agitation.

The strike has been peaceful with no reports of any untoward incidents from anywhere in Mumbai or Maharashtra.