Bank unions call for strike on July 29

In a bid to oppose the government's reform programme for the banking sector, all the nine bank unions on Wednesday called for a one-day strike on July 29, a top union official said on Wednesday.

"All the nine unions of the banking industry held a meeting on Wednesday in Hyderabad. We have unanimously decided to call for a one day strike on July 29 to oppose the government's attempt to promote privatisation in the public sector banks in name of banking sector reforms," Bank Employees Federation of India's general secretary Pradip Biswas told IANS.

Central government has been desperately trying to dilute its stake in the public sector banks and heading towards a privatisation of public sector banking, he said.

"We are opposing a host of issues including banks' merger in the name consolidation, employing private sector's people at the top position of the government owned banks, centre's reluctance for infusing capital into state run banks," he said.

"We have been actively observing the centre's reform programmes for banking sector and also considering a direct actions against the government's move," he said.

"Banking industry in the country has not been affected badly by the global economic meltdown because of the presence of public sector banks," the union leader claimed.

The strike is called under the forum of banking unions.

He hinted if the centre does not lend its ear to unions' protest, they might go for a larger strike.

--IANS

bdc/rn