New Delhi, Aug 8 (KNN) The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), which represents nine bank unions and employees of public and private sector banks, have called for a nation-wide strike on August 22 to protest against privatisation and merger of public sector banks among other demands.

AIBEA General Secretary C H Venkatachalam said nearly 10 lakh employees would participate in the strike to protest plans to privatise public sector banks, merger and consolidation of banks and other demands including not to write-off non-performing assets (NPAs) in banks.

Some of the other demands put forth by the unions include declaring wilful default of bank loans as criminal offence, implementation of the recommendations of Parliamentary Committee on recovery of NPAs.

Venkatachalam stressed that people should not be penalised for corporate default and said after the proposed stir on August 22, a massive rally would be conducted on September 15.

 Sometime in October or November, continuous strike for two days would be conducted, he said.