The nationwide strike called by Central Trade Unions in Odisha on Thursday had a mixed impact, causing disruptions in various parts of the state, especially in industrial areas. Members of different trade unions engaged in picketing at markets, bus stops, and railway stations, leading to road blockades on National and State Highways, affecting traffic flow across Odisha.
In cities like Rourkela and Angul, the picketing and demonstrations by labor organizations resulted in a complete shutdown of business establishments, shops, and offices. However, the strike had a partial effect in districts such as Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, where only a few shops and some large businesses closed down.
Ten central trade unions, including CITU, AITUC, INTUC, HMS, AICCTU, LPF, and UTUC, along with over 50 independent organizations representing various sectors, called for the strike against what they perceive as pro-corporate and anti-worker policies of the Union government. They demanded the repeal of four labor codes enacted by the government and opposed the VB–G RAM G Act, which replaced MGNREGA, among other issues.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) had earlier declared their support for the strike, aligning with the central trade unions in protest against the alleged anti-people legislations and policies of the Union government.
