The Centre of Indian Trade Unions has given a call for a nationwide strike on August 20 in protest against soaring inflation and increase in prices of fuel and essential commodities.

About 40 trade unions across the country would participate in the agitation, Citu State General Secretary A Soundarajaran told reporters in Chennai.

In Chennai, union members would stage demonstrations in six centres.

Soundararajan said the strike had also been called to press the demand for strengthening the public distribution system and protecting workers in the unorganised sector.

The agitation would also demand that the wage rise for contract workers in PSUs ensures minimum salary and benefits on par with permanent workers in their respective PSUs.

He also pointed out that this was the fourth such agitation during United Progressive Alliance regime.

Inflation, the silent killer