IRISH BANKS will be hoping their employees don’t read the Hindustan Times this week – it could give them ideas.

India is on course for a countrywide strike, with members of nine banking unions on standby to take industrial action on Wednesday and Thursday.

One of the main bones of contention is the proposed closure of rural branches considered to be non-viable (which will sound familiar to Irish bank officials). The outsourcing of bank jobs is an issue too.

Unions are also threatening strike action if the government passes a Bill amending Indian banking laws.

The proposed amendments aim to further deregulate and liberalise the banking sector, with increased voting rights for foreign and corporate investors.

If the two-day strike goes ahead, the banking sector could grind to a halt. During previous strikes a million bank workers come out to protest, and most banking transactions across India were hit. Interbank transfers and cheque clearances came to a standstill, and there were massive queues at ATMs.

If the action goes ahead, retailers, who rely heavily on cash, are expected to be worst affected.