Banks to remain shut on May 30-31
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 24 2018: As decided by the apex body of the country's bank employees, bank employees of the State have announced that they would stay away from their normal duties on May 30 and 31 .

Speaking to media persons at SBI MG Avenue Branch today, United Forum of Bank Unions, Manipur State Committee convenor H Keshorjit said that the authorities concerned have been depriving bank employees of their due periodic pay increment even though banks have been shouldering immense responsibilities for economic development of the country.

Salaries of bank employees of different levels are increased every five years through bipartite settlement.

The previous 10th bipartite settlement agreed on 15 per cent pay hike.

The 11th bipartite came into effect from November 1 last year but there has been no pay hike till date.

Whereas the Indian Bank Association represents the Government of India at the bipartite settlement, the United Forum of Bank Unions represents banks.

Even as the United Forum of Banks approached the Government of India as well as the Indian Bank Association to finalise the 11th bipartite settlement, none of the two have been paying any heed, Keshorjit said.

After persistent attempts which were followed by a strike notice, March 15 was fixed for a joint meeting to finalise the 11th bipartite settlement but the same meeting was aborted due to different issues of the country.

Later, the Indian Bank Association sent an invitation to the United Forum of Bank Unions for a meeting on May 5 and they informed that the wages/salaries of bank employees would be hiked by just 2 per cent.

Taking strong exception to the proposed paltry increment, banks across the country staged protest demonstrations on May 9 but the Government of India still remains a mute spectator.

Subsequently, the United Forum of Bank Unions decided to undertake cease work strike on May 30 and 31, Keshorjit said.

All India Bank Employees' Association State secretary Ch Lilabanta remarked that the Indian Bank Association's proposal to hike wages/salaries of bank employees by just 2 per cent is rather disappointing.

While appealing to employees of all private banks and cooperative banks of the State to join the cease work strike, Lilabanta also appealed to the masses to bear with the inconveniences that would be caused by the two-day cease work strike.

Lilabanta added that ATM booths too would remain shut during the two days.

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