Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Farmers, workers demand scrapping of free trade agreements
Farmers and workers in a city called Vijayawada in India held a big protest on Monday.
They marched from a place called Lenin Centre to the local police station.
The protesters were upset about free trade agreements, which are deals between countries that make it easier to buy and sell things across borders.
They worried the deals would make it harder for Indian farmers to earn a living.
They also said new government labour rules would be unfair to workers.
The group went to the police station and told the police they were ready to be arrested.
The police wrote down their names before a meeting was held.
The leaders said the government cares more about big companies than about farmers and workers.
They asked the government to cancel trade agreements with the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
It was all part of a nationwide call by farmers' and workers' organisations.
Farmers' and workers' organisations held a Jail Bharo protest in Vijayawada demanding the Centre scrap free trade agreements.
Protesters marched from Lenin Centre to Governorpet Police Station, raising slogans against proposed FTAs with the US, UK and New Zealand.
The protesters voluntarily offered themselves for arrest after informing police of their plan to court arrest.
Leaders alleged that the Narendra Modi government's policies favour corporate companies over farmers and workers.
Organisers warned that the FTAs could push the farm sector into crisis and potentially increase farmer and tenant farmer suicides.
- Who
- Farmers' and workers' organisations including CITU, AITUC and the AP Farmers' Associations Coordination Committee, led by figures such as Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao
- What
- Held a Jail Bharo protest demanding the scrapping of free trade agreements and opposing the four labour codes
- When
- Monday
- Where
- Governorpet Police Station, Vijayawada
- Why
- They allege FTAs would harm domestic agriculture and the livelihoods of farmers and workers
Protesters' View
Centre's Position
Free trade agreements
Protesters' View
FTAs with the US, UK and New Zealand should be scrapped because they would hurt domestic agriculture and the livelihoods of farmers and workers.
Centre's Position
The Centre has proposed entering free trade agreements with the US, UK and New Zealand, implying it sees benefits in such pacts.
Labour codes
Protesters' View
The four labour codes would increase the exploitation of workers.
Centre's Position
The Centre has implemented the four labour codes, implying it regards them as necessary reforms.
- Event
- Jail Bharo protest against free trade agreements
- Location
- Governorpet Police Station, Vijayawada
- Rally route
- Lenin Centre to Governorpet Police Station
- Opposed agreements
- Proposed FTAs with the US, UK and New Zealand
- Organisations
- CITU, AITUC, AP Farmers' Associations Coordination Committee
- Arrests
- Protesters voluntarily offered themselves for arrest
- Additional opposition
- Implementation of the four labour codes