Banking operations across the country are most likely to be hindered on Wednesday as employees of several State-owned banks will go on an all-India general strike or ‘Bharat Bandh’ on January 8.
Due to the strike, several bank branches and ATM services could get affected as PSB employee unions will be protesting against the recent banking reforms and labour policies.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of India (SBI) has notified a minimal impact on its banking operations due to the bank strike.
“The membership of our bank employees in unions participating in strike is very few, so the impact of strike on Banks operation will be minimal,” said SBI in a stock exchange filing.
Bank of Baroda, however, fears that the strike will affect its functioning. It said that it is ensuring necessary measures to ensure smooth functioning of its branches.
“The Bank is taking necessary steps for smooth functioning of Bank’s Branches/Offices on the day of strike, in the event the strike materialises, the functioning of the branches/offices may be affected/paralysed,” the bank said.
Canara Bank said, “The Bank is taking necessary steps for the smooth functioning of Bank’s Branches/Offices on the day of proposed strike. However, in the event, the strike materialises, the functioning of the branches/offices may be impacted by the strike.”
Lenders 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 call for a pan-India general strike on January 8. Ten central trade unions have already extended support towards the strike.
