The Kerala government has issued a strict directive to state employees ahead of the nationwide Bharat Bandh, cautioning that any participation in the strike will invite salary deductions.

In a late-night order, the Left Democratic Front (LDF)-led administration made it clear that government servants who remain absent without valid approval during the bandh will face a “no work, no pay” action. The directive applies to employees across departments, including teachers in state-run institutions.

According to the official communication, absence on the day of the strike will be treated as unauthorised unless it falls under narrowly defined exceptional circumstances. The government clarified that leave would only be approved under stringent conditions such as personal illness, medical emergencies involving close family members, scheduled examinations of the employee, or maternity-related reasons.

The Bharat Bandh, scheduled for February 12, has been called by a joint platform of trade unions opposing the Centre’s four new labour codes. The protesting groups argue that the reforms dilute worker protections, make hiring and firing easier for employers, and weaken collective bargaining mechanisms.

In addition to opposing the labour codes, unions have demanded the rollback of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. They have also called for the strengthening and full restoration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), claiming that rural employment opportunities have been adversely affected.

At least ten major trade unions have extended support to the strike, including INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, SEWA, AIUTUC, TUCC, AICCTU, LPF, and UTUC. Their joint appeal has sought widespread participation across sectors, including public services and transport.

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has also backed the bandh, linking the protest to broader economic concerns. Farmer groups have criticised the Centre’s trade policies, alleging that recent international agreements could harm agricultural interests. They have also demanded the resignation of Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal over the issue.

The Centre, however, has consistently defended its policy decisions, maintaining that both labour reforms and trade agreements are designed to strengthen economic growth while safeguarding workers and farmers.