Food Corporation Of India Union Stages Nationwide Protest, Demands Timely Promotions And Policy Reforms.

New Delhi; February 2026: A joint platform of 10 central trade unions on Monday has called for a nationwide general strike from 10th to 23rd February is on, and not less than 30 crore workers across the country are expected to join the protest. On 09th January 2025, the group of unions had given a call for a nationwide strike to show their “resistance to anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the central government”.

All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur told reporters that this time “not less than 30 crore workers will participate in the strike. Last time on July 9, 2025, about 25 crore workers took part in the agitation. She informed that the strike will see its impact in 600 districts of the country, which is higher than about 550 districts last year.

Kaur also stated that the trade unions’ claims of participation are based on the strong preparations done at the district and block levels, and farmers, as well as other federations, are with them. About the impact of the proposed strike in BJP-ruled states, she said that Odisha and Assam would be completely shut down and other states will also have a huge impact of the agitation.

According to a statement by the joint forum, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha extended full-fledged support for joining the protest and mobilisations on their demands and in support of trade unions’ demands. Similarly, the joint front of agricultural workers’ unions is also part of the campaign, joining the strike, with a special focus on restoring MGNREGA.

The wide campaigns have been taken up in almost all the states, in all sectors- government, public and private sector establishments, industrial areas, amongst the workers, farmers and common masses in rural and urban India. Students and youth groups joined in several places for such campaigns.

Common citizens have been extending their support for the strike’s demands. The strike notices have been served in most of the sectors/industries. The preparations are full-fledged, it stated. Their immediate demand include the scrapping of four labour codes and rules; withdrawal of the Draft Seed Bill and Electricity Amendment Bill, the ‘Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act’.

The unions are also demanding the restoration of MGNREGA and scrapping the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025.

The joint forum includes INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU LPF and UTUC.

Meanwhile, as reiterated by Amarjeet Kaur, in the BJP Led Uttar Pradesh, Bhartiya Khadya Nigam Karamchari Sangh (BKNKS) have kicked off a nationwide “Black Fortnight” protest from February 10 to 23, voicing strong objection to delays and alleged arbitrariness by the EP Division in addressing long pending workmen-related matters.  Demonstrations were held at the FCI Regional Office in Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar, and across all FCI offices and depots nationwide, led by the union’s General Secretary.

The union highlighted concerns over the staff strength audit and cadre restructuring being undertaken without proper consultation, the proposed abolition of the stenographer cadre, and unequal enhancement of sanctioned strength.  Protesters also flagged diversion of the agreed ad-hoc promotion proposals meant for Category-III and IV employees, prolonged inaction on Hindi Typist promotions since 2022, and unilateral amendments in the Transfer Policy, including mandatory transfers and frequent rotations, which they said increased employee hardship and public expenditure.

Employees raised slogans against the FCI Headquarters management during their lunch break, expressing strong resentment over years of neglect and unnecessary delays in addressing their legitimate demands. The union clarified that the agitation is peaceful and non-disruptive. Employees are wearing black badges and holding symbolic demonstrations while ensuring that food grain procurement, storage, and distribution operations remain completely unaffected.

BKNKS stated that despite repeated representations and ample opportunities for dialogue, the EP Division has failed to resolve several critical issues concerning workmen, leading to growing frustration among employees. The union have further warned that if no positive outcome emerges within 14 days, the agitation will be intensified in a phased and democratic manner. In such a scenario, BKNKS asserted that any disruption in food grain supply will rest solely with the FCI Management, as the union has already provided sufficient time for dialogue and resolution.          

Team Maverick.