BANK EMPLOYEES LAUNCH 2 DAY NATIONAL STRIKE

Approximately 900,000 bank employees launched a two-day national strike on 6 August 2009. Talks between unions representing the employees and the Indian Banks' Association collapsed on 4 August. The employees are demanding higher wages and better retirement benefits. The affected institutions include 26 state-run banks, 10 private banks and eight foreign banks. The strike has affected a range of financial transactions, including currency conversions, at more than 60,000 bank braches throughout India. However, ATMs are still operating.