KMC staff to join July 9 nationwide strike over wage hike, privatization, and inflation issues

A nationwide general strike has been called on July 9, by central trade unions and federations to protest against wage stagnation, inflation, privatization, and to demand protection of labour rights. The strike is expected to impact multiple sectors across the country, including railways, transport, banking, education, healthcare, and other public services. Lakhs of workers and employees are expected to participate.

In Kolkata, municipal employees under the banner of KMC Workers’ Union and KMC Clerks’ Union began mobilizing support. On Wednesday, a large rally was held at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation headquarters, led by Anutosh Sarkar and Amitabh Chakraborty, general secretaries of their respective unions. Protesters marched through various departments of the civic body and submitted their 17-point charter of demands. The demonstration concluded outside the Health Department.

Union representatives announced that KMC workers will observe a symbolic “pen-down” protest on July 4 from 2 PM to 4 PM. This protest is intended as a lead-up to the July 9 strike. The demands raised by the workers include wage revision, relief from rising prices, halting of privatization initiatives, and the safeguarding of existing labour protections.