On January 8, banking services across the country are likely to take a hit as several bank unions are set to join the all-India general strike called by central trade unions.
According to reports, ten central trade unions have called a nation-wide general strike on January 8 "to protest against anti-labour policies" of the government. But ahead of the strike, banks have assured that necessary steps will be taken to ensure smooth banking operations.
State-owned Syndicate Bank on Saturday said it is taking necessary steps for smooth functioning of its branches on January 8 -- the day of the general strike called by trade unions. In a BSE filing, the lender said it has received notice by the All India Bank Employees' Association, Bank Employees Federation of India, Indian National Bank Employees' Federation and Indian National Bank Officers' Congress on the proposed one-day strike next week. "Bank has received notice...on the proposed strike on 8th January, 2020," Syndicate Bank said. The bank is taking necessary steps for smooth functioning of its all branches/offices on the day of proposed strike.
On the other hand, State Bank of India, the biggest lender in India, has said that its operations will not be affected as much by the strike. "The membership of our bank employees in unions participating in the strike is very few, so the impact of strike on bank's operation will be minimal," SBI had told the stock exchanges in a filing on Friday.
According to Business Today, Banks have been informed by Indian Banks' Association (IBA) that bank unions including All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA), Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), Indian National Bank Employees' Federation (INBEF), Indian National Bank Officers Congress (INBOC) and Bank Karmachari Sena Mahasangh (BKSM) will go on a pan-India general strike on January 8. Ten central trade unions have expressed support towards the strike.
