Nine bank unions have called a day long strike to protest against government's "anti-people banking reforms". They are also asking for compensation for extra work done on account of demonetisation and booking loan defaulters.
"Around 10 lakh bankers ranging from officers to clerks — belonging to the nine unions — will join the strike", said C.H.Venkatachalam, general Secretary, AIBEA (All India Bank Employees Association).
Mr Venkatachalam also said banking services will be affected on account of the strike and added that in view of the negative approach of the IBA and finance ministry, UFBU (United Forum of Bank Unions) will meet shortly after the strike to decide further course of action.
The unions are also not happy about only Rs 10,000 crore being announced in the budget for recapitalisation of banks. Banking jobs are being outsourced, they claimed.
"Similarly, while bad loans are bulging at every quarter without any let up, no stringent measures are being taken to recover the NPAs. But, efforts are afoot to float a bad bank to whitewash the books of the banks and to conceal and camouflage bad loans from public attention", said Venkatachalam.