(Adds dropped word staff in headline)

By Tarek Amara

TUNIS (Reuters) -Tunisian bank workers began a two-day strike on Monday to demand pay rises, halting all financial transactions as the country struggles with an economic crisis.

Lines formed at cash points as the walkout started, but customers said many of the machines were broken.

“We are struggling with everything. Many medicines are missing. Some goods are in short supply … The cost of living is extremely high, and now we are left paralysed without cash,” one woman, Imen Ben Slama, said.

The powerful UGTT union called the strike after talks over pay and working conditions broke down with the banking council, which represents all public and private banks.

The union says rising living costs have eroded employees’ purchasing power

See Full Page