BENGALURU: The United Forum of Bank Unions, the umbrella organisation representing nine major trade union officers and employees in public sector banks, has called for an All-India Bank Strike for two days, from March 24, 25.
The objective of the strike is to demand the implementation of a five-day work week, recruitment of adequate staff in the banking sector, among others.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, Karnataka State Committee member Giriraja KN said that while regulatory bodies such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and insurance companies operate on a five-day work week, bank officers are required to work on the second and fourth Saturdays as well.
The union also wrote to the Department of Financial Services (DFS), requesting a five-day work week for the banking sector. Additionally, employees work extra hours on weekdays, he said, adding that over the last decade, banks have not recruited sufficient staff, which has impacted the quality of service provided to the
public. Moreover, various demands remain unfulfilled as the government has not taken steps to address these issues. As a result, the unions have decided to shut down banking services for two days.
Major demands
Adequate recruitment across all cadres
Regularisation of all temporary employees
Implementation of five-day work week
Protection of bank officers and staff from assaults and abuse by customers
Amendment of Gratuity Act to raise the ceiling to Rs 25 lakh, aligning with the government employees’ scheme, along with exemption from income tax
Retention of a minimum 51% of equity stake in IDBI Bank by government