- The industrial working classes did not participate in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) in large numbers as the industrialists came closer to the Congress, workers stayed aloof.
- But in spite of that, some workers did participate in the CDM selectively adopting some of the ideas of the Gandhian programme, like boycott of foreign goods, as part of their own movement against low wages and poor working conditions.
- There were strikes by railway workers and dock workers in 1930 and 1932 respectively.
- In 1930, thousands of people wore Gandhi caps and participated in protest rallies and boycott campaigns.