PSU bank employees go on a two-day strike; Banking services to get hit

Mumbai Live Team
Jan 8, 10:56 AM IST
Civic

Banking sector is facing a two-day strike from the Public Sector (PSU) bank employees who have called for a protest. The services are said to be hit on January 8 and 9 (Tuesday and Wednesday) after the employees have decided to back the protest called by 10 central trade unions. The major reason behind the strike is said to be a protest against the government’s alleged anti-worker policy.

Several public sector banks including IDBI Bank announced in their stock exchange filing that operations are likely to be disrupted in case if the employees join the strike. The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) along with Bank Employees’ Federation of India have already notified the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) of the nationwide strike on January 8 and 9, 2019.

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," Allahabad Bank stated.

Several central trade unions INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, AICCTU, UTUC, TUCC, LPF and SEWA have been against many of the government’s policies and have termed them as anti-people. Therefore, it is possible that the public bank services will be affected on the two days. Earlier, the banks were affected when strikes were called twice in December 2018. At least 10 lakh bank employees took part in the nationwide strikes on December 26.

Here is the list of demands put forward by the trade unions:

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.