Banking operations disrupted in Bengal as unions go on strike

Kolkata, Feb 28 (IANS) Banking operations across West Bengal were disrupted on Tuesday as nine unions of workmen and officers of the industry went on strike to protest "anti people banking and labour law reforms".

"Employees and officers from about 8000 branches of commercial, cooperative and rural banks in Bengal are observing the strike. It is 100 percent successful. Out of around 10,000 ATMs, about 90 percent of them remained shut," All India Bank Employees' Association President Rajen Nagar told IANS.

"Bank employees and officers struck work today (Tuesday) to ventilate their unequivocal protest and opposition to the neo-liberal reform of the Banking Sector being pursued by the central government," Bank Employees' Federation of India General Secretary Pradip Biswas said.

The unions said the strike called by United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) was observed opposing Banking and Labour Law reforms, infringement of trade union rights, outsourcing of permanent jobs, and demanding, mainly, legitimate compensation to employees and officers for extra hours of work put in due to demonetisation and many other issues.

According to unions, the adverse effect of demonetisation on the economy has resulted in decline in the GDP growth rate and the move took away the lives of more than 100 citizens including more than 10 bank employees.

"Strike on Tuesday is an undisguised warning to the central government that bank employees and officers are united and in their firm resolve to wage and undertake the fight against its anti-people, anti-labour and pro-corporate policies," Biswas added.

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