Sri Vijaya Puram | February 13, 2026
Responding to a nationwide call by the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and organisations of employees, workers across the country participated in the All India General Strike on Thursday to protest against the implementation of four labour codes in place of the existing 29 labour laws.
In the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, unions affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) organised mass dharnas, processions and public meetings at several locations across the Islands.
The main programme was held at Tiranga Park in Port Blair, where hundreds of workers from the town and rural areas of South Andaman took part in a mass dharna and public meeting. The programme was inaugurated by B. Chandrachoodan, who criticised the Central Government for enacting the four labour codes in Parliament, alleging that the changes favour corporate interests and reflect anti-working class policies.
Addressing the gathering, D. Ayyappan, Vice President of the CITU A&N State Committee, spoke about the potential impact of the labour codes once implemented. He raised concerns regarding the condition of outsourced workers in the Islands, alleging that many are not being paid minimum wages. He also highlighted issues concerning ASHA workers, stating that they receive an honorarium of Rs. 2,000 per month, which he described as the lowest in the country. He further referred to the concerns of Anganwadi workers and helpers, part-time teachers and staff of the Education Department, daily rated mazdoors and contract workers, and demanded regularisation of their services as a one-time measure.
The meeting was presided over by R. Surendran Pillai, President of the CITU State Committee, who outlined demands related to daily rated workers in various departments and part-time education staff. Dr. Gouranga Majhi, President of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), A&N State Committee, also addressed the gathering and spoke about challenges faced by farmers in the country.
Similar programmes were held in several other parts of the Islands.
At Diglipur, a day-long dharna, procession and mass demonstration were organised, culminating in a protest in front of the office of the Assistant Commissioner. The programme was led by Sunil Bepari and Barun Biswas, President and Secretary respectively of the CITU Diglipur Zonal Committee.
In Mayabunder, workers staged a mass demonstration led by C. Murugan, Secretary of the CITU Mayabunder Zonal Committee. At Billiground, a demonstration at the local bazaar was led by AIKS leaders Nikunjo Biswas and S.R. Mridha, with Rahul Mridha, President of the DYFI State Committee, addressing the gathering.
At Rangat, processions and demonstrations were organised in the town area with participation from workers of Rangat and nearby regions. The programme was led by Projit Kumar Sarkar and Karuppaiah, President and Secretary respectively of the CITU Rangat Zonal Committee.
Workers also held demonstrations at Kadamtala bazaar under the leadership of Shipra Bala, Secretary of the CITU State Committee. At Baratang, processions and demonstrations were conducted in the Nilambur area, led by Daniel Aint, Vice President of the CITU State Committee, and R. Jayakumar, Secretary of the CITU Baratang-Kadamtala Zonal Committee.
At Swarajdweep (Havelock), a demonstration was organised in front of the office of the Assistant Commissioner, where Suben Bacher, Secretary of the Swarajdweep Branch of the Forest Union, addressed participants.
In Nicobar district, demonstrations were also held. At Katchal, the programme was led by Rajesh Khanna and T. Thyagarajan of the ASNVMS Katchal Branch. In Great Nicobar, a mass demonstration took place at Campbell Bay bazaar under the leadership of R. Dhandapani, Member of the CITU State Committee.
Organisers stated that the protests were part of the nationwide strike opposing the new labour codes and raising issues concerning workers in various sectors.
