Bank unions call for 2-day nationwide strike on 16, 17 Dec; Big banks urge to call off strike

Dec. 15: The United Forum of Bank Unions, an umbrella body of nine unions, has called a two-day nationwide strike on December 16 and 17, in protest against the government’s plan to privatise public sector banks. However, State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank and UCO Bank have urged that the strike be called off so that customers don’t face any inconvenience.

UFBU is an umbrella organisation of nine bank unions. Members of UFBU include All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC), National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE), All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA) and Bank Employees Confederation of India (BEFI). Others are the Indian National Bank Employees Federation (INBEF), Indian National Bank Officers Congress (INBOC), National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW) and National Organisation of Bank Officers (NOBO).

An appeal to all Bank Staff. pic.twitter.com/EZFGpfnK0a

— State Bank of India (@TheOfficialSBI) December 13, 2021

The strike call has been given to protest against the government’s plan of tabling Banking Laws Amendment Bill, 2021, in recent winter session of the parliament. The government is planning to privatise two public sector banks through the Bill. Naresh Gaur, union convener, said, “As per the latest information, the government has decided to privatise two public sector banks and one general insurance company. Banks and insurance companies deal with people’s money. Privatising banks means handing over people’s money to private persons with vested interests.”