Government betrayed Bank Employees

CHANDIGARH: The Government has betrayed 10 lacks bank employees of the country. Bank employees wage revision was due in November, 2007.In the last two year number of negotiation meetings took place.

On 9th June IBA offered 17.5% wage revision and one more option of pension to bank employees. Unions were demanding 20% plus for wage revision and one more option of pension. First time in the history of banking and wage negotiations Govt. reduced their offer from 17.5% to 15 and then 13%.

After observing two days strike on 6th and 7th August, 2009 Govt. restored their offer of 17.5% but put some more conditions like implementation of New Pension Scheme from 1.4.2010 for one more option of Pension Unions opposed it. In the last round of negotiation held on 24th September, 2009 IBA brought some more management issues like outsourcing and performance linked wages which were also rejected by the unions. Unions also protested against the IBA’s demand for sharing of deficit in Pension Fund during the next wage revision and thereafter no meeting took place.

Before Deepawali Govt. through Electronic and Print media gave the signal that they will settle the issues of bank employees and they will get wage revision before Deepawali. Through these signals Govt. took advantage in elections in three States. But no real efforts were made by the Govt. to settle the issues.

Sharing of deficit in Pension Fund during the next wage revision issue is pending with the Finance ministry. NOBW demands that Govt. should keep its word and settle the issues.