Major trade unions across India have gone on a nationwide strike to protest the government's alleged "indifference" to their demand for better wages and "anti-worker" changes in labour laws. Over a million workers from at least 10 central trade unions are part of the strike lead by left-leaning unions. The notable absentee among the unions is the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, affiliated to the ruling BJP.

According to the unions over 18 crore workers joined the all-India strike, making it bigger than the one held on the same day last year.

"Besides ports and civil aviation, the essential services like transport, telecom and banking will be paralysed. The workers will go on strike in hospitals and power plants but the protest will not affect their normal functioning," Trade Union Coordination Committee (TUCC) General Secretary SP Tiwari told PTI.

Those participating in today's strike include trade union workers, banks employees, public sector employees, telecom and factories workers.

Even though the impact of the strike varies from state to state, the worst affected will be the banking and public transport.

This is because employees of at least six public sector banks will be joining the strike. While private banks and ATM will remain open, it is expected to affect millions of customers.