The working class of India has once again demonstrated its capacity for collective action. On February 12, 2026, millions of workers across the subcontinent participated in a nationwide general strike, or “Bharat Bandh,” called by ten central trade unions and farmers’ organizations. The strike was a direct response to the implementation of the four new Labour Codes, which came into force on November 21, 2025, replacing 29 existing labor laws. This is not merely a protest against specific legislation; it is a confrontation with the fundamental logic of capitalist development in the post-colonial world.
The new Labour Codes represent the latest phase in the long process of labor law deregulation that has been pursued by governments across the globe since the end of the Second World War. In India, this process has accelerated under the banner of “reform.” The government claims that the consolidation of 29 laws into four codes will simplify compliance, bring uniformity across states, and extend protections to more categories of workers. These are the familiar arguments of the bourgeoisie: that labor laws are obstacles to growth, that they create uncertainty for employers, and that they must be streamlined to attract foreign investment. The reality, however, is quite different.
The Code on Wages, for instance, is presented as a worker-friendly measure that ensures timely payments and introduces a national floor wage. Yet the floor wage is set at a level that barely sustains life in most parts of the country. The code also standardizes definitions and procedures, ostensibly to reduce bureaucratic hurdles. But in practice, this standardization serves to weaken the ability of workers to challenge violations in court. The Code on Social Security extends coverage to gig and platform workers, unorganized sectors, and enables portable benefits—a progressive-sounding provision that is undermined by the fact that the code does not mandate that employers actually contribute to social security funds. The Industrial Relations Code and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code further restrict the right to strike, impose stricter requirements for recognition of trade unions, and make it easier for employers to dismiss workers. In short, these codes are not a modernization of labor law; they are a systematic dismantling of the legal protections that workers have won through decades of struggle.
The February 12 strike was a powerful demonstration of the working class’s capacity to resist this assault. Bank employees, transport workers, government employees, and farmers all participated in the action. The strike disrupted banking services, transportation, and government offices, particularly in states like Kerala and Odisha where union mobilization is strong. The fact that millions of workers were able to coordinate such a massive action, despite the repressive provisions of the new codes, is a testament to the resilience of the Indian proletariat. It shows that even in the face of legal restrictions, workers can find ways to organize and express their opposition.
The strike also highlights the importance of internationalism. The demands of the Indian working class are not isolated; they are part of a broader struggle against the global capitalist order. The four Labor Codes are part of a larger trend of labor law deregulation that has been pursued by governments across the world, from the United States to Europe to Latin America. In this sense, the Indian strike is a piece of a larger puzzle—a piece that, when connected to similar struggles elsewhere, can form a global network of resistance that challenges the capitalist system as a whole.
The Indian bourgeoisie and its imperialist backers view these codes as a necessary step in integrating the country into the global economy on favorable terms. They believe that by weakening labor protections, they can make India a more attractive destination for foreign investment, particularly in sectors like information technology, manufacturing, and services. But this strategy is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the dynamics of capitalism. The working class is not a passive object of economic policy; it is an active force that can and will resist attempts to undermine its rights. The February 12 strike is a clear indication that the Indian working class is prepared to fight for its interests, even if it means confronting the state and the ruling class head-on.
The question now is whether this strike will remain a one-time event or whether it will develop into a sustained movement for revolutionary change. The history of the twentieth century shows that the working class can only achieve lasting gains through the seizure of political power. The Indian bourgeoisie, with its alliance of big business, landlords, and imperialist interests, will not relinquish power without a fight. The working class must therefore prepare for the possibility of a prolonged struggle, including the use of revolutionary methods if necessary. The February 12 strike is an important step in that direction. It shows that the Indian proletariat is awake, organized, and ready to defend its rights. The struggle against the new Labor Codes is not just about labor law; it is about the very future of Indian society. The working class must continue to build its organizations, educate its members, and prepare for the day when it can take power and build a socialist society.