Indian workers stage nationwide strike against planned labor law changes

A massive strike swept across India on Wednesday as 10 trade unions and their supporters launched a protest against the government's labor and economic policies.

Protesters displayed slogans condemning privatization, unemployment and the dilution of labor rights.

"Without talking to trade unions, they brought four labor codes. Then they are continuously trying to privatize our public sector, even profit making. Public services are also being privatized. Education, health, everything is becoming expensive," said Amarjeet Kaur, general secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress.

The nationwide strike disrupted banking, transport, postal and other public sector services as thousands of workers joined the protests.

Many farmers also joined the strike, giving a boost to the movement.

"This movement is a coordinated struggle of the farmers, agriculture workers and the working class. That is because the farmers are demanding an remunerative price for their crops and assured procurement that is not happening. The cost of production is increasing because the agriculture input sector is controlled by an oligarchy of a few companies," said Vijoo Krishnan, a farmer leader.

The protesters had a charter containing 17 demands including the repeal of four new labor codes related to wages, industrial relations, social security and occupational safety and healthy working conditions.

The labor codes were passed by the Indian parliament during the COVID-19 pandemic and have since been in contention.

Indian workers stage nationwide strike against planned labor law changes

Indian workers stage nationwide strike against planned labor law changes

Indian workers stage nationwide strike against planned labor law changes

Indian workers stage nationwide strike against planned labor law changes

The Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked since Saturday evening and will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on the waterway.

In a statement carried by its official news outlet Sepah News, the IGRC said that the move came after the United States violated its commitments under the two-week ceasefire, which took effect on April 8, and failed to end its naval blockade against Iranian vessels and ports.

The IRGC Navy called on all vessels and their owners to follow official updates via its channel and VHF Channel 16, the international maritime distress, safety, and calling frequency. The statements by U.S. President Donald Trump hold no credibility in the strait and the Gulf, it added.

The IRGC warned that no vessel should move from its anchorage in the Gulf or the Gulf of Oman, and any approach to the strait would be deemed "cooperation with the enemy" and targeted accordingly.

Tehran's political leadership echoed the IRGC's firm position. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran's control, revealing that during previous negotiations, Iran had firmly countered U.S. attempts to carry out minesweeping operations, which Tehran viewed as a ceasefire violation.

He said the situation had come close to conflict, but the U.S. had eventually backed off.

Calling the U.S. maritime blockade "reckless and ignorant," Ghalibaf warned that passage through the strait would certainly be restricted if Washington does not lift the blockade.

Underpinning these public announcements, Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Saturday affirmed the country's resolve to exercise control and supervision over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the war is definitively ended and lasting peace is achieved in the region.

For its part, the United States pressed ahead with its own military measures.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Saturday that the U.S. military is imposing a maritime blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and nearby coastal areas. Since the blockade began on April 13, 23 ships have complied with U.S. directions to turn around.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military is preparing in the coming days to board Iran-linked oil tankers and seize commercial ships in international waters, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing U.S. officials.

The move will enable the U.S. to take control of Iran-linked vessels around the world, including ships carrying Iranian oil that are already sailing outside the Persian Gulf and those carrying arms that could support Tehran, the report said.

Iran's IRGC says Strait of Hormuz blocked, demands end to US naval blockade