By IPS Correspondents
AHMEDABAD, May 21 2003 (IPS)

Around 50,000 employees in government offices, banks and other sectors embarked on a one-day strike on Wednesday to protest against the federal government’s – anti-labor policies" and policies on privatization.

At least 5000 non-gazetted employees of the income tax employees federation, western Indian state of Gujarat’s circle would participate in the day-long strike with support from gazetted officers who would stage – walk out" from it premises later in the day, sources in the federation said.

Hundreds of bank employees, officials of accountant general office, postal department, federal government water board would also participate in the strike by staging a dharma at the circle to protest the government’s decision to ôdownsize and privatize" certain departments, Vasant Bhambhi, general secretary of coordination committee of central employees in Ahmedabad, said.

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