Bank strike hits key services, affects customers
Two-day nationwide bank strike on March 15 and 16.
The United Forum of Bank Union (UFBU), a body of nine bank unions, has called for a two-day nationwide strike on March 15 and 16 against the privatisation of public sector banks and banking reforms. The bank staff are highlighting their socio-economic issues.
It is estimated that over 10 lakh bank employees and officers are taking part in the strike. The bank employees have been working for the last few days wearing badges, pronouncing the strike and their grievances.
Services such as deposits and withdrawal at branches, cheque clearance and loan approvals has been brought to a standstill due to the strike. “The rally at Rajpath had close to 10,000 people from all walks of life, including bank consumers. We also had the support of National Confederation of Officers’ Association, a body consisting of all professionals. We also had representation from the Income Tax department and also the self-help group people. Tomorrow too the situation will remain the same or may get even worse. No ATM is functioning as the contractual workers associated with ATMs have also joined us in our cause,” said Sanjay Das, general secretary AINBOF (WBSU).
People are deeply inconvenienced as a result but they are ready to bear with the discomfort for the betterment of the banks, said Das.
“We are facing problems but we also have solidarity with the bank employees, who are so helpful to us all the time,” said Ratan Das, former insurance employee.
There are estimated 5,666 branches of nationalised banks with 3,000 more of private banks are there in Kolkata.
All nine banks unions – All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC), All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE), All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC), Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), Indian National Bank Employees Federation (INBEF), Indian National Bank Officers’ Congress (INBOC) and National Organisation of Bank Officers (NOBO) and the National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW) will take part in the strike called by the UFBU.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement in the Budget on the privatisation of two public sector banks as part of the government’s disinvestment drive has led to disgruntlement among several sectors. It is learnt that the unions of four General Insurance Companies will go on strike on March 17. All unions in the LIC are also planning to go on strike March 18, while unions of four insurance companies have called for a strike against the privatisation of public companies.
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