Bengaluru: The day-long nationwide strike by central trade unions on Friday (September 2) is likely to hit normal life across the State, as their state affiliates have decided to join them.

“Buses will not operate, banks will not open and factories will remain closed across the state on Friday. We will also be on strike in support of the demands and express solidarity with thousands of the affected workers/employees,” a state-level trade union leader said on Wednesday.

With drivers, conductors and support staff of the state-run transport corporations (BMTC and KSRTC) staying away from work, intra-state and inter-state bus services will remain suspended from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Supply of essential commodities, milk and water, however, will not be affected. Medical shops will remain open, as they have been exempted from the strike call.

“Private transport unions will also be joining the strike. We have appealed to taxi and auto associations to extend their support to the strike and not ply vehicles,” said CITU leader S. Prasanna.

“Commercial establishments, private firms, insurance companies and medium and small-scale units in industrial areas will also remain shut in support of the strike,” said AIBOC’s state general secretary A. N. Krishna Murthy.

Among the demands of the trade unions are check price rise through pan-India public distribution system, enforcement of labour laws, universal social security cover for all workers, and stoppage of disinvestment in state-run enterprises and banks.

“We have also demanded lifting ceilings on payment of bonus and provident fund and increase the quantum of gratuity,” Murthy added.