BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 4th February 2026 : The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has called for a nationwide general strike on February 12, demanding the reinstatement of the MNREGA scheme and the repeal of the four labour codes, alleging that the policies of the central government have severely affected the lives and rights of workers and farmers.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, CITU state leader Shankar Prasad Dutta said that workers and farmers are the backbone of nation-building, but their conditions have deteriorated under the present central government. He alleged that anti-labour policies have curtailed workers’ rights and pushed large sections of the population into distress, calling for united resistance against such measures. Dutta appealed to people from all walks of life to ensure the success of the February 12 strike.
CITU State Committee President Manik Dey also criticized the four labour codes, stating that they were enacted to benefit corporate interests at the cost of workers. He said the new laws would exclude nearly 90 per cent of the country’s population from legal protection and adversely impact workers, farmers, the unemployed, and senior citizens. Dey alleged that the codes allow for extended working hours of up to 12 hours, replacing the existing eight-hour norm, which would further burden workers if implemented from April 1.
Raising concern over changes to rural employment schemes, Dey said the scrapping of MGNREGA and the introduction of alternative schemes would severely affect poor and rural labourers who depended on guaranteed employment for survival.
CITU has appealed to workers, farmers, employees of both government and private sectors, and the general public to participate in the strike to register strong opposition to what it termed anti-worker policies of the central government.
