Shimla, July 10 -- Central trade unions, farmer organisations and workers across Himachal Pradesh joined protests at district and block headquarters, bringing public services to a near halt in several areas, including Shimla. Undeterred by rain in Shimla on Wednesday workers, including sanitation staff, health workers, bank employees, and anganwadi and midday meal workers, participated in demonstrations demanding the roll-back of new labour codes, end to privatisation and fulfilment of long-pending demands. Vijender Mehra, president of the Himachal Pradesh unit of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), said the nationwide bandh was jointly called by 10 central trade unions, public sector federations, and dozens of farmers' organisations. "Even at IGMC, the largest hospital in the state, employees have joined the strike, impacting OPD services. No garbage has been collected as all municipal workers are on strike. Even workers in tourism-dependent hotels in Shimla have joined the bandh," he added.HTC...