Today, bank employees across the nation have called for a one-day strike to protest against the reforms in the financial sector and various other demands.
Bank employees more than thousand in number have participated in this strike in Coimbatore. Sources say, business worth Rs. 200 crores has been impacted in Coimbatore, due to the protests. Cash withdrawals, deposits, cheque transactions and foreign transactions came to a near halt due to the strike by the bank employees.
In the city, protests were hosted in front of the Coimbatore Junction and more than 1000 employees of various banks participated. The protestors also raised slogans against the central government for implementing financial reforms in banking sector against the welfare of the employees and the banks. Privatization of banks, inadequate staffing, lack of accountability on top executives, loose ends in recovering bad debts were some of the pivotal points for today's protest.
The employees also alleged that during the demonetization time frame, all employees of all banks have clocked extra hours to handle the pressure and the chaos. But, it is unfair of the Government for not considering to pay them incentives for clocking several extra hours for days together, the protestors said.
When speaking to the press Rajan of Bank Employees’ Federation said that, “The vacancies in the banks should be filled immediately, the retirement benefits should be exempted from income tax.” he said.
The protestors also warned that if the central government does not end this spree of privatization of public limited banks, they would intensify their protests.