Banking services are likely to be hit on January 8-9 (Tuesday and Wednesday) as a large section of PSU bank employees are expected to go on a two-day strike to back a nationwide protest called by 10 central trade unions.
The strike has been called to protest against the government’s alleged anti-worker policy. Many public sector banks including IDBI Bank announced in their stock exchange filing that operations are likely to be disrupted in case employees join the strike.
The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and Bank Employees Federation of India have already informed the Indian Banks’’Association (IBA) of the nationwide strike on January 8-9, 2019.
Allahabad Bank also said that the issues and demands are of industry level, implying that banks services will be affected if employees take part in the strike.
“Therefore, if the strike takes place, the functioning of branches of the bank may be affected. The bank is taking all the necessary steps in terms of the existing guidelines for smooth functioning of bank’s branches/offices on the day of strike(s), in the event the strike materialises,” it said.
A number of central trade unions INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, AICCTU, UTUC, TUCC, LPF and SEWA had earlier termed many policies of the government as anti-people and there are high chances that public bank services will be hit tomorrow.
Bank of Baroda, which is another public sector bank, said, In the event of AlBEA and BEFI proceeding on strike on January 8-9, 2019, the functioning of bank’s branches/offices in some of the zones may be affected.
In fact, some private sector banks also fear that their employees will take part in the strike tomorrow to support the demands and normal working at such banks could also be affected.
Banking services were earlier affected twice in December 2018 when a similar strike was called. At least 10 lakh bank employees took part in the nationwide strikes on December 26.
Here is all you need to know about the charter of demands:
* Urgent measures for containing price-rise through universalisation of public distribution system and banning speculative trade in commodity market.
* Containing unemployment through concrete measures for employment generation.
* Strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws.
* Universal social security cover for all workers.
* Minimum wages of not less than Rs 18,000 per month with provisions of indexation.
* Assured enhanced pension not less than Rs 3,000 per month for the entire working population at public banks.
* Stoppage of disinvestment in central/state PSUs and any strategic sale.
* Stoppage of contractorisation in permanent perennial work and payment of same wage and benefits for contract workers as regular workers for same and similar work.
* Removal of all ceilings on payment and eligibility of bonus, provident fund; increase the quantum of gratuity.
* Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days from the date of submitting application; and immediate ratification of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions C87 and C98.
* Stop pro-employer labour law amendments.
* No FDI in railways, insurance and defence.
News Agencies
