All national banks have decided to suspend their work on September 24 and 25. The two day strike is called by the Kerla unit of United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). The nation wide strike would adversely hit the banking services for two days. About one lakh bank employees and officers are expected to participate in the strike.

The bank union called for the strike against the proposed privatization of some banking services. The Raghuram Rajan Committee and Anwarul Hoda Committee, set up by the government, have recommended some mergers and privatization in banking services. The bank union wants the rejection of these recommendations. The convener of Kerala init of United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), V J Johny criticized the privatization policies of the government. He maintained that it would make the loan approval for agriculture very difficult. The proposed privatization will also hit small scale industry, rural sector and poverty removal programs. He said that the government want the merger of about 25 banks which is not in the favor of banks and employees. He also demanded the review of pension option, compassionate appointments and wage revision
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However, the government asked the bank union to scrap the idea of proposed strike. The government in a statement denied thatit is implementing any privatization related policy in the country.

United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) Kerala unit, as part of the two-day nation-wide strike on September 24 and 25, would stage demonstrations for three days from September 17 in front of bank branches in the state.