Wholesale and semi-wholesale traders in Bombay reacted strongly on Wednesday (10 January) to a go-slow by bank workers, by holding a strike of their own.

SYNOPSIS: More than five hundred thousand bank workers are campaigning for a higher cost of living allowance, a wage revision, a bonus and better conditions
The President of the Federation of Bombay Trade Associations, Mr Navnital Shah said that trading activity in all the commodity markets had come to a halt owing to the bank worker's refusal to accept cheque payments, and other go-slow tactics.

The banks in turn are considering wage cuts for employees involved in the go-slow campaign. The All-India Bank Employees Association, meanwhile, has called for a full-scale strike for an indefinite period to begin on the 2nd of February. On Wednesday, thirty-seven trade associations responded to the Federation's call for a one-day token strike.

A wide range of services and goods were unavailable, and the booking and clearance of goods by road transport was also affected. However, hotels, eating houses and establishments dealing in essential commodities were exempted.