New Delhi:Left-affiliated trade unions today enforced a nationwide day-long general strike to protest the 'anti-people' economic and labour policies of the UPA Government.

However, Congress-affiliated INTUC and RSS-backed BMS are not participating in the strike.

Left unions have a sizeable presence in the coal, port and docks, banking, insurance and unorganised sectors.

The Sponsoring Committee of these unions, including CPI(M)-affiliated CITU, CPI-backed AITUC, Hind Mazdoor Sabha, AICCTU, TUCC, UTUC and UTUC-LS, said there is an urgent need to step up pressure on the government through mass struggles.

The unions have accused the Manmohan Singh Government of being indifferent to the sufferings of the people and ignoring rising prices of essentials.

They demanded measures to arrest price rise, enactment of the Urban Employment Guarantee Bill and legislation against sexual harassment at work place, end to layoffs and implementation of all labour laws.

The workers are also protesting against increase in foreign investment cap in the telecom sector, proposals of allowing more FDI in insurance and opening up of the pension sector.