Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 10: Like other parts of the country, entire functioning in the Public sector bank branches across Jammu and Kashmir remained suspended as the employees began a two-day strike from today for revision of wages.
The call for strike has been given by United Forum of Bank Unions, an umbrella organization of nine bank employees and officers union, including AIBEA, AIBOC, NCBE, AIBNOA, BEFI, INBEF, INBOC, NOBW and NOBO.
On the call of UFBU, Jammu Province Bank Employees Federation observed a complete strike in all nationalized and non-nationalized banks across the Jammu province. Because of the strike, entire banking came to a standstill.
Addressing a protest demonstration of the bank employees, Arun Gupta, general secretary of the Federation, threatened to further intensify the agitation if their demand is not considered by the Government and IBA.
Better wages motivate employees to work more efficiently for greater benefits to the banks. No bank in India has so far collapsed or gone into losses due to increase in wages but mismanagement and bad loans for which employees are not responsible, he added.
The officers and employees of State Bank of India held a strong demonstration near the bank’s administrative office at Rail Head Complex Jammu to press for their demands.
Addressing the gathering, Suresh Wali, DGS Officers Association and Sham Lal Hans, DGS SBI Staff Association, drew attention towards the adamant and rigid approach of IBA, which has failed in its responsibilities to bring about an amicable settlement to the issue of wage revision.
They alleged that even after a lapse of more than a year, the issue of wage revision in banks in not being handled seriously by the Government and IBA. The offer made by the Government at 10 percent is too low to be accepted keeping in view the increased inflation and devaluation of rupee, they said.
The others, who spoke on the occasion, included Satish Sharma, Harinder Arora, C S Kohli and Ram Raj Sharma. They held the Government and IBA responsible for the strike and resultant loss to the economy as well as inconvenience to public.
According to a handout, issued by the Punjab National Bank Officers’ Association, J&K all employees who work on shifts in clearing, service branch, night clearing etc, are participating in the strike without deviation.
Com V K Dutta, State general secretary of the Association, reviewed the strike action of bankers in J&K during a meeting wherein he was informed that the staff was prepared even to proceed on an indefinite strike in support of their demands.
Others who addressed the meeting, included Vinod Kumar, Com Ashwani Pradhan, Com T K Sharma, V K Shah, Ashok Sahni, Gopal Sharma and Rajiv Malhotra.
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