By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 12: Several trade unions and pensioners’ associations in Meghalaya on Thursday joined the nationwide general strike called by central trade unions and workers’ organisations, staging a protest in Shillong to oppose the “anti-worker, anti-farmer and pro-corporate policies” of the central government.
The demonstration was held near the U Kiang Nangbah statue, opposite Shillong Civil Hospital.
The protesting bodies included Central Government Pensioners Association of Meghalaya, All India Postal Employees Pensioners Association of Meghalaya, Confederation of Central Government Employees, Federation of Postal Employees and activists of the Meghalaya Joint Council of Trade Unions and Associations.
The strike, called jointly by 10 central trade unions along with independent sectoral federations and associations, was endorsed by the National Convention of Workers.
The protesting organisations demanded the scrapping of the four labour codes and their rules, withdrawal of the Draft Seed Bill, Electricity Amendment Bill, and the proposed “Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act,” claiming that they would open the nuclear energy sector to private and foreign players.
Other demands included withdrawal of the reported decision to allow a 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment in the insurance sector, repeal of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, and restoration of MGNREGA in its original form, opposing its replacement by the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025.
The protesters alleged that the four labour codes were enacted without adequate consultations with stakeholders and without convening the Indian Labour Conference. They claimed that the codes dilute workers’ rights, weaken collective bargaining, and restrict the right to strike.
According to the unions, the new labour framework would reduce regulatory coverage for a large number of factories, weaken occupational safety provisions and social security protections, and make trade union registration and functioning more difficult. They further alleged that the changes favour corporate interests in the name of “ease of doing business.”
The speakers raised concerns over rising unemployment, non-filling of vacant government posts, and “aggressive” privatisation of public sector undertakings in sectors such as railways, coal, oil, defence, banking, insurance and electricity.
They criticised the Union Budget 2026-27, alleging inadequate allocations and utilisation of funds for education, health and social welfare, while expressing apprehension over moves to reform public sector banks and allow greater private and foreign participation in strategic sectors.
Talking to reporters at the site, senior lawyer PC Nyogy criticised several proposed legislations of the Centre.
Referring to the Sabka Suraksha Sabka Bima Bill, 2025, he said, “Allowing a 100 per cent foreign investment in the insurance sector will ultimately benefit multinational corporations. When critical financial sectors are opened completely to foreign investors, the long-term impact on our domestic economy and policy independence must be carefully examined.”
Nyogy said the Draft Seed Bill could adversely affect farmers. “The intention appears to favour large corporate players in the seed market. If traditional and locally developed seeds are sidelined, our farmers may become dependent on costly commercial seeds, which will directly impact agricultural sustainability,” he said.
He also raised concerns over unemployment and rural distress. “The government had promised to generate two crore jobs every year. Today, unemployment remains one of the biggest challenges before the country. Instead of creating secure employment opportunities, we are witnessing contractualisation and reduction of labour protections,” he stated.
On MGNREGA, he said diluting or replacing a scheme that guarantees 100 days of work to rural households will severely affect the poorest sections. If additional financial burdens are placed on state governments, implementation will suffer and rural workers will bear the consequences, he added.
Nyogy maintained that the nationwide strike was not limited to trade unions alone. “This is a collective expression of concern by workers, farmers and common citizens who feel their voices are not being heard. The protest is about protecting livelihoods, democratic rights and the welfare character of the state,” he said.
