The Hindu : `Unions to accord priority to job security'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 29, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

`Unions to accord priority to job security'

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DEC. 28. Bank employees should work together to develop strategies to cope with the situation arising on account of the sweeping changes affecting the banking industry and the Indian economy as a whole, Y. Tharak Nath, secretary of the All-India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) and general secretary of the National Confederation of Bank Employees, has said.

Inaugurating the meeting of the second general council of the State Banks' Staff Union, Kerala Circle, here today, he said ensuring job security would always be the priority for the State Banks' Staff Union (SBSU) and other unions affiliated to the AISBISF, while working with bank managements on issues such as computerisation and redeployment of staff. The Union was opposed to the system of contract labour in any sector, he added.

The two-day meeting of the SBSU is expected to create a plan of action to press for its demands. The delegates at the meeting will discuss a number of issues confronting employees, particularly those in the banking sector. Issues that are likely to be focused on include the structural reforms being pursued in the banking sector, wage revision, moves to employ contract labour, mergers and acquisitions, frequent cut in interest rates, the flow of foreign direct investment into the banking sector and the Supreme Court verdict on the right to strike.

Earlier, at a press conference held in this connection, Mr. Tharak Nath said the AISBISF would work towards protecting the public sector banks from the privatisation exercise currently being contemplated by the Government. Privatisation of the public sector banks, which have played a major role in fostering national development, will have an adverse impact on the economy as a whole, he maintained.

In the light of increasing non-performing assets (NPAs) of the public sector banks, the AISBISF and its affiliated unions are calling for several measures, including a complete overhaul of the banking laws to facilitate easier recovery, he said. Attachment of the personal property of large defaulters, publication of lists of defaulters and debarring defaulters from holding public office are among the other major demands of the unions in this regard, he added.

Similarly, the AISBISF is strongly opposed to moves by the Government to hand over Government business — so far handled exclusively by public sector banks — to those in the private sector. The SBI has been handling Government business since 1876, he pointed out.

V.G. Sidhardhan, general secretary of the SBSU-Kerala Circle, who is laying down office, was felicitated at the inaugural function.

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