Parliament Question: Demands of Trade Unions

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3906 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 DEMANDS OF TRADE UNIONS 3906. SHRI T R BAALU: Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state: (a)whether the Government has not considered any of the demands of the various Trade Unions as a result of which 25 crores of workers undertook the Bharat Bandh on 9th July, 2025; (b)if so, the reasons for rejecting the genuine demands of the working class in the country despite a nationwide strike; and (c)the details of the talks conducted by the Government with the Trade Unions in this regard and the reasons for failure of the talks along with estimated loss to the economy due to the Bharat Bandh? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE) (a) to (c): The nationwide strike/bandh call on 9th July, 2025 was given by certain Central Trade Unions. The demands contained in the demand charter were not confined only to labour reforms or labour welfare issues, but also extended to broader policy matters. No related proposal in this regard is currently pending with this Ministry. The Ministry of Labour & Employment, through the Central Industrial Relations Machinery (CIRM), accords high priority to the welfare and protection of workers and maintains regular engagement with Central Trade Unions and other stakeholders on labour-related issues through conciliation proceedings as well as bipartite and tripartite meetings. With regard to the nationwide strike/bandh call on 09.07.2025, the CIRM took cognizance of strike notices across the country, initiated conciliation proceedings, and took timely action in accordance with the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. As a result of these conciliatory efforts, absenteeism remained minimal at 9.22%. *****