NEW DELHI: Banking transactions across the country are likely to be hit this week as various employees’ associations have given calls for strikes on Monday (August 18) and Wednesday (August 20).

Monday’s strike is by members of the All-India State Bank Officers’ Federation (AISBOF) to protest against the government’s move to merge the State Bank of Saurashtra with the State Bank of India (SBI).

The one on Wednesday will be by members of the All-India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) to protest against the “anti-people banking, economic and labour policies” of the UPA government. More than 5 lakh employees of the public, private, cooperative and rural banking sectors are expected to participate in Wednesday’s strike.

In Delhi, AISBOF president T.N. Goel said more than 80,000 officers in over 15,000 branches/offices of the State Bank group, comprising the SBI and its seven associate banks, would strike work on Monday and there would be no transactions or clearing. More than 350 branches of the SBI group in Delhi and the National Capital Region would be affected.

Criticising the merger move, for which the Centre issued notification on August 14, he said the employees would hold a massive demonstration in front of the SBI headquarters here on Monday.

The AIBEA is organising month-long rallies and dharnas to protest against privatisation, mergers and consolidation and the unrestricted entry of foreign direct investments in banks. The All-India Reserve Bank of India Employees’ Association has already announced its support.