New Delhi, Dec 16 : Trade unions will be forced to intensify their agitation if the government does not fulfil their demands, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) said Wednesday, strongly protesting rising prices and privatisation of state-run firms.

"There is a strike against merger of banks and backdoor move towards their privatisation through outsourcing," said CPI-M MP Tapan Kumar Sen, raising the matter during zero hour in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament.

Trade unions are holding protests not just outside parliament but also in several parts of the country on issues of price rise, privatisation and retrenchment of workers, he said, referring to the day-long strike Wednesday by employees of state-run and private banks.

"The public distribution system should be universalised," said Sen, as he was joined by several members of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Left front who raised their hands to associate with the points raised by the member.

"The government should take immediate steps to check price rise."

He also sought proper implementation of labour laws and the roll back of steps toward privatisation of public sector banks and state-run enterprises, besides seeking social security for unorganized workers who contribute 65 percent to the country's output. (IANS)