In the Union Budget FY 2021-22, the government announced the privatization of two public sector banks. This has raised concerns among employees of public sector banks and unions. Thus, against this government’s plan, Bank Unions have threatened to go on a strike on March 15-16.
A meeting of the United Forum of Bank Unions, headed by C.H. Venkatachalam, General Secretary of All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA), was held at Hyderabad on Tuesday. The nine agencies that took part in the meeting were AIBEA, AIBOA, AIBOC, BEFI, INBEF, INBOC, NOBO, and NOBW. Various points of the Union Budget, such as privatization of IDBI bank, two public sector banks and one general insurer, setup of a bad bank, disinvestment in LIC, aggressive disinvestment, allowing FDI in Insurance sector up to 74%, sale of public sector undertakings, etc. were discussed.
In the meeting, these government policies in the banking sector were found to be retrograding. Opposing these policies, General Secretary announced the launching of intensive struggle programs and distressing actions.
As per the UNI report, the General Secretary said that the announcement of the Government to privatize public sector banks is “unfortunate and unwarranted.” Venkatachalam said, “Accordingly, a day-long dharna will be held in all state capitals on February 19, Relay Dharnas will be staged in all States/Districts/Towns from February 20 to March 10 and two-day strike on March 15 and 16.” It was further stated that future strikes would be planned seeing the development of the Government in the matter.
