Bank employees have called for nationwide strike on November 12 to press their demand of revision of salaries and other issues.

The daylong strike would be followed by relay strikes in the southern region on December 2, northern region on December 3, eastern region on December 4 and western region on December 5.

United Forum of Bank Unions has taken the decision. A day before the strike, bank employees would take out a rally to support their demand of wage hike.

“The decision of revision of salaries of the bank employees was taken in 2012 but it has still not been implemented. Last year Indian Banks Association agreed to revise the salaries of bank employees,” said N.K. Pathak, general secretary, Bihar Provincial Bank Employees Association.

Pathak added that United Forum of Bank Unions had proposed a 25 to 30 per cent wage hike, but the Indian Banks Association declared to give only 5 per cent hike, which was unacceptable. The association later proposed a 10 per cent hike, which was not accepted.

Paramhans Singh, chairperson, Bihar Provincial Bank Employees Association, said: “We are also opposing the Centre’s decision of not including 14 labour laws in the Small Factories Bill that will be introduced in the Parliament in the winter season. The 14 labour laws have many provisions for the welfare of labourers. According to the laws, the working hour of labourers is fixed at eight hours. Women employees are also entitled to maternity leaves. Labourers would be denied these benefits if the labour laws are not included in the Small Industries Bill.”