Jharkhand’s industrial machinery screeched to a halt Thursday as trade unions launched a nationwide one-day strike protesting labor law reforms. Major hubs like Dhanbad, Bokaro, Jamshedpur, and Giridih bore the brunt, with coal mining, transport, and banking sectors facing total paralysis.
Coal production in Dhanbad’s vital collieries was non-existent, with workers from multiple unions assembling at mine gates under a united banner. Dispatch operations froze, echoing disruptions in Bokaro where key sites like Kathara and Jarangdih saw sparse turnout. The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh opted out, but the collective action still packed a punch.
Giridih witnessed aggressive roadblocks by communist groups at several locations, halting traffic and amplifying anti-government chants. In Deoghar, a standoff at Chitra turned ugly, prompting police to detain agitators after verbal clashes intensified.
Jamshedpur’s streets filled with striking medical reps and sales staff—nearly 800 strong—who protested outside the DC office, blocking thoroughfares temporarily. Public sector banks in affected areas operated at minimal capacity, stranding customers amid transaction halts.
Critics of the new codes claim they favor corporations over workers, diluting protections and bargaining power. Leaders hinted at broader mobilizations ahead if ignored. State officials, anticipating unrest, bolstered security deployments statewide. This strike not only highlighted Jharkhand’s labor fault lines but signals a larger national pushback against policy shifts.