In Raigarh, members of various trade unions staged protests near the Chhal coal mines. As part of the strike, four coal mines in the district, including Chhal, remained closed, bringing coal transportation to a complete halt. Union leaders said the agitation is aimed at opposing the Centre’s four new labour codes and other policy measures, which they claim would dilute workers’ rights.
According to protest leaders, the new labour laws could pave the way for fixed-term employment in place of permanent jobs and extend working hours from eight to twelve hours per shift. They also expressed concerns over the potential push toward privatization of Coal India, possible cuts in wages and benefits, withdrawal of job provisions in exchange for land acquisition, dilution of rehabilitation policies, and stricter norms for trade union registration.
Ahead of the strike, a torch procession was taken out in Raipur on Wednesday evening from Karmachari Bhavan in Budhapara in support of the bandh. A large number of workers, employees and representatives of various organisations participated. The rally passed through key city routes before culminating in a public meeting.
Addressing the gathering, Dharamraj Mahapatra, convenor of the Joint Platform of Trade Unions, said the four labour codes would weaken labour protections and undermine collective bargaining rights. He urged workers across the state to participate actively in the strike. At the end of the programme, participants resolved to make the bandh successful.
In Raigarh, union members had also organised gate meetings two days prior to the strike to mobilise support among workers.
However, the Chhattisgarh Chamber of Commerce did not extend support to the bandh, and business establishments in several urban areas functioned as usual.
Among the key demands raised by participating organisations are the repeal of the four labour codes and related rules, withdrawal of the draft Seed Bill, scrapping of the Electricity Amendment Bill, rollback of the SHANTI Act related to nuclear energy, restoration of MGNREGA provisions, and cancellation of the proposed “Viksit Bharat – Employment and Livelihood Guarantee Mission (Rural) Act, 2025.”
