Nationwide strike to disrupt banking operations tomorrow

The Central Trade Unions, including INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC, have called for a Nationwide General Strike on February 12 in protest against the Labour Codes enacted by the Central Government and other policies they described as anti-worker and anti-people.
In a joint press release, the All India Bank Employees’ Association, the All India Bank Officers’ Association and the Bank Employees Federation of India announced their support for the strike and stated that agitational programmes have already been initiated in this regard.
The unions alleged that the new Labour Codes, which replace 29 existing labour laws, would weaken trade unions, restrict collective bargaining rights, promote contractual and fixed-term employment, extend working hours and dilute job security and social protection of workers.
Among the key demands raised by the banking unions are strengthening Public Sector Banks and insurance companies, halting privatisation and disinvestment in banks, LIC and GIC, withdrawing the recent hike of 100 per cent FDI in insurance, ensuring adequate recruitment, stopping outsourcing and contract appointments, scrapping the New Pension Scheme and restoring the Old Pension Scheme, and withdrawing the fixed-term employment system. They also called for stringent measures to recover bad loans from corporate borrowers and for reduction of service charges imposed on ordinary bank customers.
The state units of AIBEA, AIBOA and BEFI will organise a full-day stay-out strike on February 12, accompanied by rallies and demonstrations at bank branches and corporate offices across the state.