Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram: A fraternity of 45 organisations of traders and entrepreneurs in Kerala have announced they will keep shops open during a nationwide strike on Tuesday and Wednesday. The announcement follows an assurance given by the strike organisers that shops will not be forced to close.

The nationwide shutdown involves trade unions in all sectors except those allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Elamaram Kareem, the state secretary of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) assured earlier that traders will not be forced to shutter shops.

The Kerala Trade and Industries Coordination Forum, headquartered in Kochi, said they will not cooperate with the strike in any way. “All merchants have been told not to cooperate with the strike and open their shops at 10am,” Forum chairman and Bhima Jewellers managing director Bindu Madhav and Kerala Merchants Chamber of Commerce general secretary Muhammad Sageer said.

Key trade bodies like the Kerala Film Chamber, Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association, Kerala Travel Mart Society, Kerala Textile and Garment Dealers Association and Bakers Association are among the 45 members of the Forum.

Response of other sectors

Hotels: Kerala Hotel and Restaurants Association state president Moideen Haji says hotels will remain open.

Hospitals: Indian Medical Association Kerala secretary Dr N Sulfi says doctors and other medical staff will reach hospitals. The trauma care ambulance network will be utilised if they face hindrance on the road.

Schools: Kerala CBSE School Management Association president T P M Ibrahim Khan hopes schools that open will not be forced to close. “We've written to the unions,” he said. “If the situation is not favourable, the schools can decide for themselves.” The School Management Joint Council, a grouping of CBSE, ICSE and unaided schools, has requested for exemption to schools.

Bus: Kerala State Private Bus Operators Federation president M B Sathyan said the coordination panel of workers' unions have issued a strike notice and the federation has sought at least a day's exemption.

Cargo vehicles: Kerala State Lorry Owners Welfare Federation state president K K Hamsa says goods lorries will be run if drivers report for work.

Bank: Public sector banks could be affected since the All-India Bank Employees Association and the Bank Employees Federation of India would be participating in the strike.