Chennai: A two-day nationwide strike called by a joint forum of central trade unions started today.
In Tamilnadu, bus staff took part in the strike despite a warning by the State government, affecting public transport on the first working day of the week. Auto drivers too expressed support to the strike. However, trains and cabs ran as usual. Banking services too were hit across the country.
The joint forum of central trade unions and various sectoral independent trade unions have given the strike call on Monday and Tuesday to protest against government’s ‘anti-people economic policies and anti-worker labour policies’.
The All India Bank Employees Association has said on Facebook that the banking sector will be joining the strike too.
The strike notices have been given by unions in the sectors such as coal, steel, oil, telecom, postal, income tax, copper, banks, insurance among others.
The country’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) has said banking services may get impacted due to the strike. ‘We advise that while the bank has made necessary arrangements to ensure normal functioning in its branches and offices on the days of strike, it is likely that work in our bank may be impacted to a limited extent, by the strike,’ SBI said in a regulatory filing.
Meanwhile, the Power Ministry, on Sunday, advised all the state-run utilities and other agencies to be on high alert and ensure round-the-clock electricity supply and stability of the national grid.
On Saturday, the Ministry issued a circular requesting the States to take action against imported coal-based power plants if they fail to maintain adequate coal stocks.