Bhubaneswar: The nationwide strike called by central trade unions on Thursday witnessed a mixed response across Odisha, with industrial hubs experiencing significant disruption while other regions reported only partial impact.
Protesters affiliated with various trade unions staged demonstrations at markets, bus terminals and railway stations in several districts. Road blockades were also organised on key National and State Highways, leading to traffic disruptions for hours in different parts of the state.
Industrial centres such as Rourkela and Angul saw a near-total shutdown of commercial activities. Shops, business establishments and offices remained closed as labour groups enforced the strike. In contrast, the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack reported limited participation, with only select shops and a few major commercial establishments suspending operations.
The strike was jointly called by ten central trade unions, including the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) and the United Trade Union Congress (UTUC). They were supported by more than 50 independent federations representing employees from the banking, insurance and public service sectors.
The protesting organisations have raised objections to what they termed the Union government’s pro-corporate and anti-worker policies. Among their primary demands is the withdrawal of the four labour codes enacted by the Centre.
They have also voiced opposition to the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB–G RAM G), which replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The unions contend that the new legislation undermines rural employment safeguards and have additionally flagged several farmer- and labour-related concerns.
The strike received political backing from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), both of which had earlier announced their support for the nationwide protest against the Centre’s policy measures.
While public transport and commercial activities were affected in several pockets, essential services largely continued without major interruption, according to preliminary reports.
