AIBOC to support Nationwide Strike
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 22 2020:
The All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC) stated that it will support the Nationwide Strike on November 26 called by Central Trade Unions and independent federations of workers on various issues affecting workers, farmers and common people of the country.
The issues, inter-alia, include opposition to the privatisation of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), banks and other financial sectors.
The main demands for the All-India strike includes cash transfer of Rs 7500 per month for all non income tax paying families, 10 kg free ration per person per month to all needy, expansion of MGNREGA to provide 200 days' work in a year in rural areas at enhanced wages; extension of employment guarantee to urban areas, to withdraw all anti farmer laws and anti worker labour codes, to stop privatisation of public sector including the financial sector and stop corporatisation of Govt run manufacturing and service entities like railways, ordinance factories, ports etc, to withdraw the draconian circular on forced premature retirement of Government & PSU employees and provide Pension to all, scrap NPS and restore earlier Pension, improve EPS-95.Further AIBOC added that the issues of the All-India Strike are very close to them accordingly they will be.
extending their fraternal support to the strike and requested their affiliates to act accordingly for the cause.
In addition to the demands raised by the central trade unions, AIBOC also emphasized on the following demands in relation to the banking sector which includes no to privatization of Public Sector Banks, to initiate stringent action against corporate loan defaulters, ensure recovery of humongous corporate NPAs, to stop heavy NPA write-offs, to increase the interest rate on fixed deposits, particularly for senior citizens, to stop outsourcing of regular banking jobs, to increase recruitment in Public Sector Banks and to scrap the National Pension System (NPS) for bank employees.
In this connection, AIBOC advised their affiliates that their members shall not demand or accept any keys and shall not perform clerical duties on the day of strike.
Further, all state units/affiliates are advised to organise street corner meetings/lunch time demonstrations across the country on that day while adhering to the COVID-19 protocol and social distancing norms.
Lastly AIBOC urged to all the concerned to launch a national movement on November 26 opposing the move of the government to weaken the edifice of public sector banks by allowing crony corporate houses to acquire public sector banks and reverse the historic bank nationalisation of 1969 and 1980 .