A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held here recently, UFBU said in a statement Thursday. "The United Forum of Bank Unions deliberated at length about the anti-people policies of the government especially with regard to the banking reforms which are bound not only hit the common people but also the resources of the country," it said.

"More and more foreign banks are encouraged to open their offices in India and this may pave way for takeover of the established private banks in the country," it said.

"Therefore, the UFBU has decided to launch a one-day country-wide token strike on December 19", it said. The Unions would meet again on December 23 for taking further course of action, the statement added.

PTI