The Indian affiliates of Public Services International (PSI) extend their full support and solidarity to the nationwide strike on 12th February 2026, called by the Joint Platform of Trade Unions, in defence of workers’ rights, public services, and social justice. Public service workers across sectors including health, sanitation, water supply, electricity, transport, municipal services, education, social welfare schemes, and public administration are participating in the strike to oppose policies that undermine public services, weaken labour protections, and promote unchecked privatisation.

Key Concerns and Demands:

• The four Labour codes, which dilute labour rights, restrict collective bargaining, and weaken social security for workers.

• Privatisation and outsourcing of essential public services, threatening accessibility, affordability, and quality of services for citizens.

• Increasing contractualisation, precarious employment, fixed-term employment and job insecurity in public services.

• Erosion of social security systems, including pensions, healthcare, and statutory welfare measures.

• The Electricity (Amendment) Act/proposed amendments, which seek to introduce multiple private distribution licensees, weaken State Electricity Boards and public DISCOMs and shift the burden of electricity costs onto consumers – particularly farmers, domestic users, and small enterprises & Endanger employment, safety, and service conditions of electricity workers through increased outsourcing and contractualisation.

• Rising prices and shrinking public expenditure, disproportionately affecting workers and vulnerable sections.

Public service workers play a vital role in safeguarding citizens’ health, safety and basic needs. Any attack on public service workers directly affects the quality and accessibility of public services for the people.

The Indian affiliates of PSI reiterate that strong public services require decent work, fair wages, job security, and respect for trade union rights. Attacks on public sector workers are ultimately attacks on the people who depend on public services.

The strike is being observed as a peaceful, democratic and constitutional expression of protest.

PUBLIC SERVICES FOR PEOPLE, NOT FOR PROFIT!