The bank union All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA) has called for a strike on Saturday to protest the ongoing outsourcing of jobs, which may have an impact on the operations of public sector banks (PSBs).
According to reports, there may be some impact on cash deposits and withdrawals, check clearing, and so on.
PSBs such as Bank of Baroda and Punjab & Sind Bank have already informed their customers about the potential impact on services if the strike on November 19th materialises.
A portion of the bank's employees are expected to strike on the specified date, causing the normal operation of the bank's branches/offices to be disrupted, Punjab & Sind Bank said in a regulatory filing on Thursday.
Meanwhile, AIBEA general secretary C H Venkatachalam stated that some banks' outsourcing of jobs puts customers' privacy and money at risk, in addition to reducing recruitment at the lower level, and that a few banks are also violating the Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act.
Venkatachalam stated that despite the labour authorities intervening, the PSBs' managements ignored their advice, violated the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, and forcibly transferred the employees.
"From AIBEA, we reiterated our issues and demands arising from various unilateral decisions in violation of the existing Bipartite Settlement provisions in some of the banks, as well as attacks on jobs and job security and vindictive actions in some other banks," he said.
"AIBEA has no choice but to protest through our agitational programme and strike action," he said.
On November 19, the third Saturday of the month, banks are open. On the first and third Saturdays of the month, all banks remain open. The strike call would have no effect on private sector banks.
