Mangalore, August 5: Dakshina Kannada unit of United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) staged a protest in front of State Bank of India here on Friday against the proposals to divest government stake in state-run institutions and demanding a host of welfare schemes.
Majority of banking transactions in the city were hit as most of the staff took part in the protest.
Addressing the protesters, Leo Rodrigues, Regional Convener, UFBU said that the strike was particularly aimed at the amendments in banking laws that were proposed to be made during the current session of parliament.
He said “The proposed amendments are aimed at mergers, acquisitions and the outsourcing of even routine activities of our banks, and allowing foreign banks and investors such activity and managements.”
“Our strike is not for the interests of employees alone. It is also to protest the anti-national policies being pursued by the central government and to protect our banks from foreign control,” Mr Rodrigues added.
D N Prakash, another representative of UFBU said, “We demand that public sector banks should not be privatised and the government's equity in our state-run banks should not be reduced. Do not avail World Bank loan to capitalise public sector banks.”
“We find the government's equity in public sector banks is being diluted and reduced, and consequently, the private capital in public sector banks is increasing," he said.
Other demands include: no merger of state-run banks, no outsourcing of permanent banking jobs to private sector, resumption of recruitment in right earnest, jobs to family members on compassionate grounds and framing of guidelines for housing, car and other loans.
B N Madhva, Walter Lasrado, Raghava and others were present.
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