Jammu, Dec 23: Bank employees across the country staged coordinated demonstrations on Tuesday as part of a nationwide protest programme called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). In Jammu, the agitation was led by Rajesh Mehta, UT Secretary of All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC) for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Employees from major public sector banks, including the State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank and Bank of Baroda, participated in the demonstration. The protest highlighted a range of long-pending demands and expressed strong opposition to several policy decisions of the Union Government that, according to the unions, adversely affect bank staff and the public banking system.
The foremost demand raised during the protest was the immediate introduction of a five-day work week in the banking sector. Union leaders stated that bank employees continue to face increasing workloads without corresponding improvements in working conditions.
The agitators also opposed the proposal to allow higher foreign direct investment in the banking and insurance sectors and reiterated their resistance to privatisation of public sector banks and financial institutions. Another major concern raised was the appointment of managing directors and executive directors from the private sector, which unions said undermines internal career progression.
Other demands included the implementation of a uniform performance-linked incentive scheme, withdrawal of the Finance Ministry’s proposal for a differential PLI structure, restoration of the old pension scheme, and scrapping of the national pension system. The unions also called for revision of pensions for retired bank employees.
Strong objections were raised against what the unions described as the unilateral approach of the Department of Financial Services in banking matters, including its involvement in policy decisions and day-to-day operations of individual banks. The protestors further opposed recent amendments to labour codes, terming them unfavourable to workers’ rights.
