T'puram: The 48-hour long nationwide strike called by various trade unions will begin tonight. Employees of public sector including banks and central-state government offices will join the protest. In Kerala, the tourism industry and other necessary services are exempted from the strike. Meanwhile, the joint committee of trade unions have informed that they will not stop any vehicle and will not force any shop to shutdown during the strike. Some of the demands put forth in the strike include a raise in minimum wages to Rs 18000, execute social security scheme and raise minimum pension wages to Rs 3000.