ATMs are running dry at various places across the country, while banking operations were hit by the day-long, nation-wide strike called by employees of public sector banks. The All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) has claimed the strike a success and said that all the branches kept their shutters down.
“People could not go to banks to transact anything, deposit money, withdraw money or do any other transaction. Government treasury transactions could not be done, import and export transactions were hit, money market operations were not possible,” AIBEA General Secretary C H Venkatachalam said.
The strike was called under the aegis of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) to press their demands including fixing accountability of top officers over increasing bad loans, opposing labour reforms as well as outsourcing of permanent jobs.
“Regular functioning of the branches of the Bank might be affected on that day. However the Bank’s ATMs and digital channels will function to meet customer needs,” Federal Bank said.
Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh affiliates, National Organisation of Bank Workers and the National Organisation of Bank Officers are not part of the strike. Private sector banks including ICICI, HDFC, Axis were not part of the strike.
The UFBU claims membership of nearly 10 lakh across banks and has requested the government for the cost reimbursement due to demonetisation to banks.
By Premji
