Two-day bank employees strike from July 25

Public sector bank employees will go on a two-day nation-wide strike from July 25 to protest against government's moves to grant banking licences to private business houses and closing down of rural branches.

A letter containing the demands had been given to the authorities, including Indian Banks Association on March 26, but no decision was taken, United Forum of Bank Unions convenor A C Joseph told media on Tuesday.

He said the forum had forwarded another request on June 18 and resorted to agitation by holding demonstrations on June 27 and July 10.

According to UFBU, about 10 lakh (1 million)

PSU employees, including offers, will participate in the strike.

The union's demands include stopping the Centre's attempt to close down rural branches; non-implementation of proposed amendment bill for banking laws that contains the provisions for raising voting rights of shareholders in banks and granting licences to private business houses for setting up banks.