Bank services are likely to get affected on March 15 and March 16– Monday and Tuesday– as bank unions have called for a two-day nationwide strike against the central government’s move to privatise public sector banks. Along with these two days, bank holidays on March 13 and March 14– second Saturday and Sunday– would translate to a four-day break in the normal banking operations.

Many public sector banks including India’s largest bank, the State Bank of India (SBI), have informed their customers that the functioning of their branches and offices during the strike may get affected, according to a report by The Indian Express. Around 10 lakh bank employees are expected to participate in the strike, the report said.

In a stock exchange filing earlier this week, SBI said that it has been told by the Indian Banks Association (lBA) that the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which comprises nine major bank unions, has given a call for all India strike by bank employees.

“While Bank has made all arrangements to ensure normal functioning in its branches and offices, it is likely that work in our Bank may be impacted by the strike,” SBI said.

Canara Bank had also said last week that its banking services may get affected due to the nationwide strike. 

The UFBU includes All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC), National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE), All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA), Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), Indian National Bank Employees Federation (INBEF), Indian National Bank Officers’ Congress (INBOC), National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW) and National Organisation of Bank Officers (NOBO).