GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1630
ANSWERED ON: 02.03.2020
Strike by Bank Employees
Ganesan Selvam
Dhanush M Kumar
Gautham Sigamani Pon
Parvatagouda Chandanagouda Gaddigoudar
Gangasandra Siddappa Basavaraj
Vinayak Bhaurao Raut
Heena Vijaykumar Gavit
Sunil Dattatray Tatkare
Will the Minister of
FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the employees’ unions of Public Sector Banks have gone on nationwide strike recently;
(b) if so, the details of demands of the bank unions/ associations and their impact on banking sector alongwith the estimated loss suffered by the Government from such strikes;
(c) whether the Government has considered the demands of the striking bank employees and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has taken any decision to ward off any future strikes by banks that hinders the daily routine of the customers across the country and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor and the stand of the Government in this regard; and
(e) the steps being taken by the Government to avoid recurrence of such strikes in future?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(a) to (e): Some of the unions of Public Sector Bank (PSB) employees went on strike on 31.1.2020 and 1.2.2020 in support of their employment condition related demands for, inter alia, wage revision settlement, five-day banking, improvements sought in pension benefits, etc. Such employment condition related matters are considered by the banks themselves, whose managements also directly engage with employee unions in this regard on an ongoing basis. The impact of such demands is felt only in the event of a demand being acceded to. In the event of employees union giving a call for strike, bank management and employee unions try to resolve issues through mutual discussions. Banks take suitable steps to ensure smooth operations during periods of strike so that customers and business are not adversely impacted. Government also advises banks to take appropriate steps to maintain banking operations during the strike and avoid inconvenience to the general public, including adequate loading of cash in ATMs, ensuring operation of clearing houses, internet banking and core banking solution, etc.
As regards loss, it is stated that PSBs have posted net profit of Rs. 507 crore in the first three quarters of the current financial year.
