The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has decided to observe May 21 as All India Protest Day.

The protest is against amendments proposed in the Banking Law, closure of rural branches, and the Government’s unilateral directions on human resources issues.

UFBU, which is an umbrella body of nine trade unions representing officers, clerical and sub-staff in the banking sector, is also planning to observe a two-day strike in July during the monsoon session of Parliament.

To mark the protest day, UFBU will hold mass demonstrations in all State Capitals and a mass rally before Parliament in Delhi.

According to the All-India Bank Employees’ Association, the passage of the Banking Law (Amendments) Bill would lead to more liberalisation and de-regulation, affecting both public and private sector banks.

“Increasing the voting rights is a step towards increasing the hold of the corporates and foreign capital over the affairs of the banks.

“The amendment to keep bank mergers outside the purview of the Competition Commission of India is nothing but an agenda to facilitate merger of banks,” said Mr CH Venkatachalam, General Secretary, AIBEA.

Referring to the Government’s administrative instructions to close down rural branches on the plea of viability and simultaneously expanding the scope of business correspondents and ultra small branches, the AIBEA said these are naked attempts to hand over rural banking to private agencies.

Further, the Government’s increasing trend of issuing unilateral guidelines on various HR issues affecting the service conditions of officers and employees was without any reference to the existing bilateral settlements or discussions with the unions/associations.

The association pointed out that there are various communications suggesting the implementation of the Khandelwal Committee Recommendations without any discussion with the unions/associations.

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