Bank staff to strike on February 28

The one-day strike was called by United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella forum represented by five workmen unions and four officers’ associations (AIBEA, AIBOC, NCBE, AIBOA, BEFI, INBEF, INBOC, NOBW and NOBO.

The constituent unions of UFBU called the strike opposing Banking/Labour reforms, Union Government’s move infringing Trade Union rights and outsourcing of permanent jobs. It is demanding legitimate compensation to employees and officers for extra hours of work put in during demonetisation, removal of gratuity ceiling under payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 and total exemption of Income Tax on Gratuity and Leave encashment on retirement, immediate appointment of workmen/officer employee directors in all the banks, early initiation of process of next wage revision of bank employees and pension related issues.

The UFBU also demanded implementation of compassionate appointment-scheme on the lines of Central government as approved by the government, adequate recruitment in all cadres, immediate introduction of fiveday banking, stringent measures to recover bad loans and accountability of top Executives besides criminal action against wilful defaulters of bank loans. 

AIBEA General Secretary Ch Venkatachalam said there will be centralised demonstrations at all centres on February 17 and dharna at all state capitals between February 17 and 22 prior to the strike. He said a UFBU meeting was held in New Delhi recently under chairmanship of K K Nair, Chairman of UFBU.   

The meeting deliberated on various issues confronting the banking industry particularly on the developments taking place in the banking sector on account of various policy decisions of the government such as financial reforms, attempts to wipe out pro-labour provisions in the name of Amendments to labour laws, the indifferent approach of the managements of some of the banks to the instructions of government on the process of next wage revision of bank employees and officers, the voluminous bad loans in the banks and unwarranted concession being given to defaulters.

Venkatachalam said the representatives of constituent unions of UFBU unanimously felt that the recalcitrant/adamant approach of the IBA/Government/ bank managements on the issues and demands of the unions needs to be resisted by resorting to agitation without any further delay including the call for one-day All India Bank strike on February 28. 

On the anti-people banking reforms, the AIBEA General Secretary said the unions in the banking industry have been fighting for more than two decades against the reform measures of the government as these are against the interests of general public and labour force in the country.

In order to create a conducive environment to the private and foreign investors, further efforts are being made by the government to amend the labour laws to suit their needs, he contended.