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

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned on Sunday that Tehran would view the United States and Israel's military bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" should Washington take military action against Iran.

At a parliamentary session convened to review an emergency proposal on assembly regulations, Qalibaf emphasized that, at this highly sensitive juncture, Iran must accurately and thoroughly identify the schemes of its adversaries.

Qalibaf said that Iran is currently confronting Israel and the United States simultaneously on four fronts: economic, cognitive, military, and counterterrorism. Of them, the economic warfare and the cognitive and psychological warfare began many years ago and have persisted to this day, growing increasingly complex and intense in recent years.

The remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran, taking advantage of its nationwide unrest.

Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.

Amid the ongoing protests, deadly clashes have been reported lately between police and what the government described as "rioters." However, no official death toll has been released.

Also on Sunday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the country's economic situation and political environment in a televised interview later that day.

Iran swears to counterattack if attacked