The Hindu Business Line : Bank unions to meet Chidambaram

New Delhi March 19 Representatives of bank trade unions would be meeting the Finance Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, on Wednesday with their demands for filling up the close to one lakh vacant posts in various banks and stopping the outsourcing of work. The trade union leaders would also discuss with the Finance Minister the possibility of providing a second retirement benefit for the employees who want to opt for the pension scheme.

The meeting with Finance Minister has been fixed after the labour leaders met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh here on Monday to press for their demands.

The discussions assume significance in view of the proposed three-day all India bank strike beginning from March 28 and coinciding with the closing of the financial year 2006-07.

According to sources present at the meeting, the Prime Minister had said that since the proposed strike would cause hardship to the general public at large, the trade unions should take into consideration public opinion before they go in for the strike. In reply, the labour leaders said it was because of this consideration that the Prime Minister's personal intervention had been sought.

The Prime Minister is reported to have said that he would send a note to the Finance Minister, the AITUC President, Mr Gurudas Dasgupta ,said after the meeting.

Before meeting the Finance Minister on Wednesday, the bank unions are scheduled to meet representatives of the Indian Banks Association in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The strike has been called under the banner of United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) comprising all the nine bank unions representing more than 10 lakh employees.

The Convenor of the UFBU, Mr Prafullo Kumar Patnaik, told reporters after the meeting that "the Prime Minister gave us a patient hearing and said he would get in touch with the Finance Minister to look into our demands."

During the meeting with the Prime Minister, the unions sought his personal intervention to fulfil their demands and to resume the earlier practice of providing employment to the heirs of deceased employees on compassionate ground as that acts as a kind of social security for employees. The unions pointed out that though such legal provisions exist the bank managements are reluctant to provide such employment.

More Stories on : Trade & Labour Unions | Social Security

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Catholic Syrian in NFS network

Municipal bond permissions tote up to Rs 1,000 cr

AIG Capital to acquire Weizmann Homes

Bank unions to meet Chidambaram

Govt will get back its investment in SUUTI with interest: Mathur