Commercial banks observe total strike

Like other parts of the country the work in all commercial banks remained paralyzed throughout Jammu region today on the call of United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) in protest against the price rise, demanding enforcement of basic labor laws, concrete measures for linkages of employment protection and stoppage of disinvestments in Central and State Public Sector Undertakings including assured pension for all.

The bank employees held a protest demonstration in front of State Bank building Hari market where economic policies of Government were criticized. They demanded minimum wages not less than ` 10000.00 per month.

The speakers criticized the privatization of public sector banks and merger of banks, removal of ceiling on voting rights of foreign investors and demanded overtime wages for late sitting including five days a week.

The protestors warned the Union Finance Minister that the bank employees will go for more such strikes in future if Government failed to concede the legitimate demands of the Bank employees.

The demonstration was addressed by C S Kohli, vice president, SBI Staff Association, Chandigarh Circle, Ram Raj Sharma assistant general secretary of the Association.

Another demonstration was held by the Bank employees in front of Press Club here. The demonstration was held under the banner of Jammu Province Bank Employees Federation an affiliate of All India Bank Employees Association, with 11 Trade Union Centers.

Addressing the protestors Com Arun Kumar Gupta, general secretary of the Federation said all the Central Trade Unions including BMS, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, AICTU, TUCC, UTUC, LPF, SEWA have jointly given call for today's strike against the anti labourer and anti workers policies.

The demonstrators opposed implementation of Khandewal Committee recommendations, opposed Banking Law Bill and other reform measures, opposed outsourcing of regular bank jobs, demanded stringent measures to recover bad loans in banks and opposed undue delay in settlement of pending demands.

The demonstrators also opposed Khandelwal Committee recommendations.

Meanwhile under the banner of Forum of Central and State Trade Unions J&K, various State and Central employees observed one days strike today. The strike is at the joint call of all the Central Trade Union in support of the demands including concrete measures to contain price rise and stop Government attacks on organized and unorganized labour class.

The strike was also against the Government’s policies of liberalization, privatization and globalization. The trade unions jointly urged the Government to review its anti people policies and initiate dialogue with the working class on all concerned issues.

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