The strike called by trade unions against the four new labour codes and the VB-G RAM G Act disrupted normal life in Kerala and Odisha on Thursday but did not have much of an impact in other states.

Unfazed by the strike, the Union government tabled and got passed a bill in both Houses of Parliament to amend one of the labour codes to correct a legal anomaly.

In his reply to the discussion on the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha, labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the four codes would protect workers’ interests.

Ten central trade unions, including the Congress-backed Indian National Trade Union Congress, the CPI-supported All India Trade Union Congress and the CPM-backed Centre of Indian Trade Unions, have termed the codes anti-worker.

Normal life came to a halt in Kerala because of
the strike, as the shutdown triggered strong criticism among people. With public transport coming to a standstill, commuters who usually take government buses faced a torrid time.

Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan of the Congress demanded to know why national strikes turn out to be a total bandh only in Kerala. His Puthuyuga Yatra reached Kozhikode on Thursday. However, the three regional yatras of the CPM had to be put on hold as they coincided with the strike.

In Odisha, too, public transport was disrupted. Public facilities like markets remained closed as trade union workers protested.