Normal life was affected in left-ruled Kerala, with the public transport services keeping off the roads and banking services hit as the 24-hour nation-wide labour union strike was total in the state on Wednesday. The nationwide strike was called by various trade unions in protest against the BJP-led NDA government's economic policies, which hit all major sectors including government offices, banking and insurance.

All government offices and major business establishments remained closed across Kerala, the lone state in the country ruled by a Marxist government. Private buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis kept off from the road while private vehicles could be seen plying everywhere cutting across villages and cites.

As Sabarimala pilgrims were exempted from the strike, KSRTC buses, operated in the hill temple route, ferried devotees as usual. In some districts, tiny shop owners could be seen complaining that the closure of business would make their life further worsen in the wake of the dull economic situation after the Coronavirus outbreak.

In the wake of the widespread virus infection, major trade unions kept themselves away from organising mass rallies, in which thousands of workers in the state participated. Instead of that, they organised protest gatherings and human chains across Kerala.

Trade unions like Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Co-ordination Centre (TUCC) and Self-Employed Women's Association are part of the strike.

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