Banking services in the district were affected on Tuesday as most branches of public sector banks, scheduled banks and the Kozhikode District Cooperative Bank remained closed following a strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).
New generation banks and service cooperative banks, however, functioned at most places. There are reports that some branches of new generation banks were forcibly closed down by the activists of bank employees’ unions. Automated Teller Machines of public sector banks were not replenished at most places.
The employees are demanding that the Union government withdraw the anti-people labour reforms in the banking sector; stop outsourcing of banking jobs; take steps to recover non-performing assets; and appoint new staff in banks.
Activists of the UFBU staged a protest outside the State Bank of India (SBI) office in the city. M.K. Raghavan, MP, who addressed a gathering, alleged that demonetisation was part of a corporate agenda and the decision to merge SBI with associate banks was against the interests of the people. Leaders of trade unions were present.
Meanwhile, employees of the Life Insurance Corporation of India staged a demonstration expressing solidarity with the bank employees. It was organised by the All-India Insurance Employees’ Association. Similar programmes were held in Vadakara, Koyilandy, Perambra, Thamarassery, and Ramanattukara too.
