Mumbai: The proposed bank employees' strike on December 26 is likely to result in possible five-day bank holiday across the country. Condemning the merger of Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) and the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) called the employees for a strike on December 26. The unions pitch against the proposed merger in view of the lacklustre results out of the recent merger of public sector banks into the State Bank of India (SBI).

Meanwhile, the halt in bank operations in the wake of Christmas and other public holidays around December 26 is poised to take a toll on the citizens. The proposed merger of the Bank of Baroda will affect the job market, said AIBEA general secretary CH Venkatachalam.

"At a time when a large section of rural is in need of banking services, the decision of a merger is not acceptable. Over 10 lakh bank employees and officials will participate in the strike across India," he added.

Here's how the bank holidays could pan out in the fourth week of December:

December 22 - Bank holiday in lieu of fourth Saturday

December 23 - Sunday

December 24 - Monday (the banks will be operational)

December 25 - Christmas

December 26 - Bank employees' nation-wide strike