Biggest strike ever? 'Bharat Bandh' today, India braces for protest by trade unions

New Delhi: As the entire nation braces to bear the brunt of the nationwide 'Bharat Bandh', Wednesday may witness what the trade unions have called 'the biggest strike in the country ever'.

Turning a deaf year to the central government's appeal to call off the strike, ten central trade unions have decided to go ahead with 'Bharat Bandh' on September 2, protesting against the reforms in labour laws proposed by the government, which they have described as anti-worker economic policy.

The central trade union refused to call off the strike after recent meetings with central ministers did not end satisfactorily. A 12-point charter of demands has been put forth by the trade union leaders.

Normal life may be hit badly with strike disrupting essential services like banking and public transport, and also supply of power, gas and oil.

The strike by 11 trade unions was originally planned for July 11 after talks between Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreyat, however it was postponed for September 2.

In a last moment and rare act, the BJP-backed Bhartiya Mazdoor and National Front of Trade Union withdrew out of nationwide strike.

However, the remaining 10 union trade, that claim a combined membership of 15 crore workers from both public and private sector, including bank and insurance companies have decided to go with nationwide strike after their proposal was failed by Central ministry.

Ten central trade union participating in the nationwide strike are CITU, INTUC, AITUC, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, UTUC and LPF.

Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, however, downplayed the impact that would be caused by the strike.

"I don't think essential services will be affected by the strike. I feel that the impact will not be much. I appeal them to call off strike in the interest of workers and nation," Dattatreya told reporters.