Thiruvananthapuram, May 20: The 24-hour all-India strike by pro-Left central trade unions from midnight tonight is likely to hit normal life in Kerala, with sections of workers in transport, government and banks joining the protest. The striking unions today appealed to workers in all sectors to make the labour action a big success, while the government machinery is geared up to face the strike.

The state government has warned employees and teachers of dies non (no work- no pay) in case of 'unauthorised absence' tomorrow.

The strike has been called as part of the campaign against the Centre's 'economic policies, which imperilled the country's economic sovereignty,' the unions said.
Essential services, milk and water supply and the media have been exempted from the strike.

The pro-congress INTUC and pro-Sangh BMS are keeping off the strike.
Bureau Report