On പണിമുടക്ക് (Strikes)

Striking for Nothing: How Strikes Harm CPI(M) in Kerala

Few things feel as outdated in the Malayali zeitgeist today as state-wide strikes (പണിമുടക്ക്) called without any explained or apparent rationale.

The one that Trade Unions called for today (09th July, 2025) for example had no immediate trigger and is just plainly without reason or rationale, so it looks quite absurd.

If there was a political trigger or some sort of outrage that occurred that could explain it away in some sense it would be justifiable. But there is none, you can only call this ഗൂണ്ടായിസം (Goondaism/Thuggery) plain and simple.

Strikes with No Rationale

The strikes were ostensibly called to protest the enactment of the labour codes, against disinvestment and against inflation. None of these grounds as you can see have had an immediate trigger- it seems more to just be a show of “strength” much like the absurd “220 million” people who “striked” against the farm laws.

At least it can be claimed that this strike had a relation to events that happened. What is the rationale for today’s strike? Has something happened regarding the labour codes, that have been enacted all the way back in 2019-20 but are yet to come into force? No.

These strikes therefore just seem plain absurd for any normal person in Kerala, and Kerala remains perhaps the only state where strikers still wield enough numerical and political clout to enforce their diktats.

The visuals of angry Trade Unionsists forcefully closing down godowns, harassing open offices and shops add zero value to their parent political parties and if anything actively harm them.

Check this for example, where a CPI(M) District Committee Member casually threatens to burn down a man’s frontage in a fish market. (if you understand Malayalam):

Who is this going to win over? [1]

Politically Useless and Counterproductive

The CPI(M) which has in this term sought to actively portray Kerala as an investment destination and more has its trade union wing, CITU go around enforcing the strike today on many private establishments forcefully. These trade unionists not only impose direct economic costs but actively harm the party. These are the very groups whose activities have long showcased the worst instincts in the party’s history.

The negative tidings of the Emergency in Kerala,[2] for example had been abated by the drastic reduction in the trade unionist interference, which earned goodwill. In the 90s, the CPM had an active ‘trade union’ faction, who I am personally very glad did not win out the factional war. Even today, the CPI(M) politician representing Trade Union interests is a man who is quite a despicable character. Other than the trade unionists of yore, I doubt any of the top leadership have anything consequential or useful to do than create ruckus. Across labour organisations those occupying leadership positions, have in my experience, been absurd characters who benefit no one.

Kerala’s lack of large scale private industries mean that most of these unionists are present in Government organisations or allied entities and very rarely do they have anything worthwhile to represent or do. Most of this is because of the inability of the trade unionists to see matters from any other angle than their own supposed organised group interest which inhibits in many cases the larger interests of ‘labour’ so to speak.

A good heuristic to look at this would be to ask what has trade unionism achieved for the people of Kerala compared to Bengaluru’s status as a start up hub?

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[1] If you know Malayalam, this random Auto driver asking “what benefit did you get any benefit by protesting?” is quite funny. Though I’m sure this man would have created similar if not more ruckus for the right political cause.

[2]The Communist Party of India (CPI) was in alliance with the Congress at this time, specifically in Kerala where C. Achutha Menon from the CPI was the Chief Minister from 1970 to 1977.