24-hour nationwide strike begins

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 24-hour nationwide strike has begun under the leadership of trade unions, demanding the withdrawal of what they call anti-people policies of the Central government, including the labour codes. The unions are also demanding the restoration of the rural employment guarantee scheme and the withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill and the Seed Bill, among other proposals.

Essential services have been exempted from the strike. These include milk supply, newspapers, hospitals, medical shops, fire and rescue services, and ambulance services. Joint trade union leaders have appealed to the public not to take private vehicles out on the roads during the strike.