Bankers threaten to go on another strike next month

The IBA has offered 11% hike in wages to one million bankers

Bankers, who observed a day-long strike on Wednesday, have threatened to go on another four-day strike from December 2-5 seeking 23 percent hike in wages of staff and officers across all ranks.

The Indian Banks' Association (IBA) has offered only 11% hike in wages to one million bankers.

"We will observe another region-wise strike across the country if IBA does not revise our wages," said Arun Bhagoliwal, vice-president, National Confederation of Bank Employees.

Accordingly, bankers in southern parts of the country will go on strike on December 2, while bank officials in northern region, comprising Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, will demonstrate on December 3.

On December 4, bankers in eastern region will go on strike while bank officers in Western region will protest on December 5.

 

Meanwhile, operations in all government-owned banks across the state remained paralysed on Wednesday.

Employees of various banks took out rallies, staged demonstrations and shouted slogans.

Bhagoliwal said, "Employees in state governments and insurance companies draw better salaries than any bank in India. Moreover, bank officers now have to work for more hours because the government launches various social schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana. Only 11% wage revision has been offered to us but we are demanding 23% hike in our wages."