Activists from four different bank employees unions struck work in protest against the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill and merger plans of banks on Thursday.
The functioning of the nationalised banks were affected following the strike called by All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA) and National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE).
The unions claimed that about 1,500 employees of 75 public sector banks participated in the one-day strike held as part of nation-wide agitation. The strike follows Lok Sabha clearing Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill after the government dropped controversial provisions.
Karunakaran, one of the leaders of the bank employees, said the Bill will encourage foreign investments and establishment of new private banks. The Bill will allow Reserve Bank of India to supersede boards of private sector banks, he added.