Central Trade Unions (CTUs), alongside independent sectoral federations, have issued a call for a nationwide “Demands Day” protest on May 12, 2026. This coordinated action aims to highlight alleged exploitation, low wages, and persistent labour rights violations impacting industrial workers across Northern and Central India.
Accusations of State-Backed Repression
In a joint statement, the unions accused authorities in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana of “brutal repression” against striking workers. Incidents cited include police action, arrests, raids, and surveillance targeting labour movements in key industrial hubs such as Noida, Greater Noida, Manesar, Gurugram, and Faridabad.
The CTUs have characterized these actions as a “state-backed corporate offensive” designed to undermine democratic labour rights. They urged workers across all sectors, particularly industrial labourers, to organize factory-gate campaigns, demonstrations, and awareness activities on May 12 to amplify their collective resistance.
Intensifying Labour Unrest and Wage Demands
The current wave of labour unrest has reportedly escalated over the past three months, building on momentum from a nationwide general strike held on February 12. Worker groups claim that industrial labourers, especially contract workers, are enduring long working hours, stagnant wages, and a severe lack of social security benefits, all while facing rising inflation and living costs.
Unions have criticized recent wage revisions announced by the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments as inadequate and far below worker expectations. They argue that wages in these states remain significantly lower than in Delhi, despite comparable living expenses. A key demand is the implementation of a statutory minimum wage of ₹26,000 per month.
The Plight of Contract Workers
- Contract workers constituted 42% of India’s manufacturing workforce in 2023-24, marking the highest level in over 25 years.
- Many contract workers reportedly earn between ₹10,000 and ₹12,000 per month.
- They often work 10 to 13 hours daily without essential benefits such as overtime compensation, weekly holidays, Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), Provident Fund (PF), bonuses, safety protections, or job security.
Criticism of New Labour Codes
The unions also voiced strong opposition to the new Labour Codes, alleging that these reforms would institutionalize longer working hours and further deepen contractualisation within the workforce. Concerns were also raised about continued harassment and unsafe workplace conditions for women workers.
The statement claimed that over 1,000 workers have been arrested during recent protests, with governments allegedly branding labour activists as “external” or “anti-national” to weaken their movement. Trade unions are demanding the immediate release of all arrested workers and the withdrawal of what they term “false cases.”
Key Demands from the Unions
The central demands raised by the unions include:
- Rollback of the new Labour Codes.
- Implementation of an eight-hour workday.
- Equal wages and benefits for contract workers.
- Abolition of contractual labour in permanent jobs.
- Measures to control the prices of LPG and other essential commodities.
The CTUs have appealed to civil society groups and the general public for support, emphasizing the need for stronger collective resistance against what they describe as “inhuman exploitation” and the suppression of workers’ rights.