Members of the All India Co-operative Bank Employees' Federation in Tamil Nadu will join the all-India strike on February 28, responding to a call by central trade unions and the All India Bank Employees' Association to press their demands.
According to a release from P. Balakrishnan, general secretary of the federation, the demands include employment protection for workers, strict enforcement of all basic labour laws and universal security cover for unorganised sector workers without restriction.
The unions are also opposing disinvestment in Central and State public sector undertakings and contractualisation of work of permanent/perennial nature.
Minimum wage
Besides, all the workers should be paid a minimum wage of not less than Rs 10,000 per month with indexation, and the ceiling for payment and eligibility for bonus and gratuity should be removed. All the workers should be assured of pension.
Banking reforms
With specific reference to banking, the federation is opposed to banking sector reforms and outsourcing of permanent jobs.
Bad loans should be recovered at the earliest.
The federation demanded that co-operative banks be strengthened by technology upgradation and a recruitment drive should be launched to fill all vacancies in clerical and sub-staff cadre by effecting promotions of eligible personnel to the officer cadre.
It sought grant of ex gratia pension of Rs.2,500 per month for all retirees in co-operative banks and the implementation of alternative pension scheme for serving employees.
