New Delhi: A two-day nationwide strike, starting from today, has been called for by a joint forum of central trade unions to protest against central government policies.
The All India Bank Employees Association has also announced to stand in solidarity with CTU. In this case, their services are partially impacted as a section of employees did not report for duty. However, there was barely any impact on the functioning of most private sector banks. Banks stand against the governments decision to privatise two public sector banks as announced in this year’s Union Budget. They are also demanding an increase in interest rate on deposits and reduction in service charges..
According to Amarjeet Kaur, All Indian Trade Union Congress General Secretary, around 20 crore formal and informal workers are expected to agitated nationwide. Reportedly, workers in the entire coal mining belt in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have joined the protest. The unions in railways and defence sector are also expected to mobilise in support of strike at several hundreds of spots. Roadways, transport workers and electricity workers have decided to join the strike besides those from sectors such as steel, oil, telecom, coal, postal, income tax, copper, and insurance.
The impact of the strike is prominent in eastern India as many branches of public sector banks there are closed, All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) General Secretary CH Venkatachalam said. In the other regions, branches are open as officers are present but services are being impacted due to many employees participating in the strike, he said