Banking services may be hampered on Januay 08 as several bank unions will be joining the National General Strike called central trade unions, while the State Bank of India and Syndicate Bank said that they would work smoothly.

The move to call a nationwide strike came a day after 10 trade unions met with the labour minister on Thursday. The unions said they would protest against anti-labour policies of the government.

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“The Central Trade Unions conveyed their firm resolve after the meeting called by Union Labour Minister (on Thursday). The general strike on January 8, 2020 stands,” a joint statement issued by the 10 central trade unions said.

At the meeting, the minister told the unions that the government has been taking all steps for the welfare of workers and legislations on Labour Codes are a part of that, the statement said.

However, the unions which included AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC  maintained that the Labour Codes are designed to impose slavery on the workers.

The statement further read, none of the issues which have been continuously raised by the central trade unions, including unemployment, minimum wages, social security and 14-point charter of demands, were addressed by the minister.

Bankers join the Strike; SBI, Syndicate Bank to function smoothly

Like the trade unions, bank unions too are protesting against government’s labour policies and demanding for a hike in their salaries along with other benefits.

State Bank of India (SBI) in a release said that the effect of the strike on its functioning would be minimal as most of its employees are not members of the participating unions. The bank’s statement was released hours after the announcement of the strike was made on January 3.

Similarly, Syndicate Bank on Saturday said it is taking necessary steps for a smooth functioning in all of its branch/offices on the day of proposed strike. However, in the event the strike materialises the functioning of the branches/offices may be impacted by the strike.

As of now, six bank unions are going to strike including AIBEA, AIBOA, BEFI, INBEF, INBOC and BKSM on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)