Report of Kamgar Ekta Committee (KEC) correspondent
Dozens of power loom and beedi workers, political activists, and residents of Bhiwandi participated in a militant démonstration in front of the Municipal office building on 12 February 2016 in support of the all-India strike.
Bhiwandi is a significant commercial and industrial city in the Thane district of Maharashtra. Bhiwandi initially developed as an industrial hub for the textile industry and has a large number of power looms and handlooms. Due to its proximity to Mumbai and the Nhava Sheva port, it has developed into a huge warehousing hub over the last decade. Thus, it is predominantly a working class town.
In the past too, the working people of Bhiwandi have demonstrated against various policies of the central and state governments, including demonstrations against four labour codes on 16 December 2025 and against privatization of power sector on 15 August 2025.
The demonstration of 12 February was organized by Kamgar Sanghatana Sanyukt Kriti Samiti consisting of CITU, AIUTUC, Kamgar Ekta Committee, and other organizations. The demonstration was addressed by Comrade Dr. Das and Smt. Trupti from Kamgar Ekta Committee (KEC), Comrade Sunil Chavan from Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Comrade Tyagi from All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC) and Smt. Kamala Gattu, a union leader of beedi workers.
All the speakers denounced the four labor codes as they are anti-people, anti-worker and anti-national.
Comrade Sunil Chavan denounced the four labour codes and specifically highlighted the fact that before the four labour codes, if a worker got injured in an accident, then the power loom owner had to compensate the workers; however, according to new codes, safety provisions for small industries are removed, and hence power loom workers’ safety and lives will be at additional risk. He also called upon the people to oppose the new trade agreement with the USA as the new trade deal will be very harmful to the farmers of our country. He said that the BJP government is bent on making the capitalists richer and must be removed from governance.
Smt. Kamala Gattu explained that the family earnings of beedi workers are already very low and they are unable to bear the burden of rising school fees and health expenses. To make matters worse, the new labor codes are doing away with the small things beedi workers had achieved through forming a board to negotiate obtaining loans for building houses.
Another young beedi worker said that as many schools are closed down, they have to bear the high fees of private school, and they are also facing high medical fees as municipal hospitals are not functional.
Comrade Anil Tyagi explained the details of the four labor codes, highlighting how after the four new labour codes, there will be no scope for union functioning and bargaining. The contract system will suppress the workers while allowing employers to exploit without regulations.
Comrade Dr. Das explained why the four labour codes are anti-worker and anti-people, calling upon all people to oppose them. He explained how the mass media, which is mainly owned by the big capitalists of our country, is trying to downplay the 12 February strike by completely neglecting coverage. He called upon all organizations and people to spread the news of the 12 February strike as widely as possible.
Smt. Trupti informed all participants that all over India, workers and peasants are participating in the strike today. She explained that some provisions of the labour codes allow capitalist owners to call women workers in night shifts and dismiss anyone refusing to comply, thus creating a major challenge for working women. She explained how the four labour codes nullify all rights that working people had won through decades of tough struggles. She also mentioned how the government has announced the “Jan Vishwas act” in January 2026, under which pharma industries will be given all relaxation of rules in testing of drugs, vaccines, and injections in the name of promoting “ease of doing business.”
The demonstration ended with slogans like “Down with the oppressive laws,” “Down with the BJP government,” and “Kamgar Ekta Zindabad!”
