SBI bank strike on

NEW DELHI: India’s finance minister said he hoped an agreement would be reached to end a week-long strike over pensions by employees of the country’s largest bank, State Bank of India (SBI). “Since the talks had stalled on Saturday, the government has called both the management and the unions to New Delhi for talks,” P Chidamabaram said, “It is my hope that the talks will continue and an agreement will be reached.” — AFP

Vietnam labour strike

HANOI: Foreign firms have flocked to Vietnam, drawn in part by its 2-dollar-a-day workforce, but a recent wave of strikes has sent a shiver through the business community. For three months, thousands of workers have temporarily shut down more than 100 plants to demand better pay and conditions and the right to form independent unions. — AFP

Economic survival

BANGKOK: Despite premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s sudden departure, Thailand’s economy is expected to keep rising thanks to a strong export base built under his leadership that is immune to political shocks. While street protests have forced to trim economic growth forecast to 4.5-5.5 per cent this year, the kingdom’s economy will prove resilient in the long run. — AFP