A unified body of central trade unions (Central Trade Unions and Sectoral Federations and Associations) declared a Bharat Bandh on March 28 and 29 in protest of government policies that harm workers, farmers, and the general public. Employees of the bank intend to take part in the demonstration. As a result, banking services may be disrupted on Monday and Tuesday.
Why is there a Bandh?
The decision comes after trade unions stated they would protest the Centre’s “anti-worker, anti-farmer, anti-people, and anti-national policies” at a meeting on March 22. The bank unions are protesting the government’s plan to privatize public sector banks and the Banking Laws Amendment Bill 2021.
The country’s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), has warned that the walkout could disrupt financial services. “While the bank has taken essential provisions to guarantee normal operating in its branches and offices on strike days,” SBI wrote in a regulatory filing, “it is expected that activity in our bank may be hampered to a limited amount by the strike.”
Which sectors will join?
Road workers, transportation employees, and electrical workers have all agreed to join the strike, according to a statement by the trade unions. The railway and defence industry unions would mass mobilize in support of the strike at hundreds of locations, according to the statement. Workers from a variety of other industries, such as coal, steel, oil, telecom, postal, income tax, copper, and insurance are expected to participate in the strike.
The central trade unions which are part of this joint forum are INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC.
The forum called upon all sections of society to extend their support to the strike called under the slogan ‘Save People, Save Nation’, it stated.
Government offices in Bengal will remain open.
In light of calls from various trade unions and others for a 48-hour nationwide strike/bandh on March 28 and 29, 2022, it has been decided that all state government offices, including those receiving Grants-in-Aid, will remain open on those days, and all employees will report for duty “According to a memorandum released by the state government on Saturday.
“It has been agreed that no casual leave or other leave of absence will be provided to any employee on the above-mentioned dates, whether for the first half, the second half, or the entire day.
It is also stated that employees’ absences on those days will be classified as ‘dies-non,’ and no salary will be paid “it was added
Ensure normal operation: Ministry of Power to States
The power ministry has written to all state governments and electricity bodies, requesting that they ensure that the electricity supply remains operational throughout the employees’ strike. Shutdown activities scheduled for these two days may be rescheduled to a more convenient time in the future, according to the ministry. To deal with any emergency situations, additional workers may be deployed at all major power stations.
The power Ministry’s advice stated that control room executives should be vigilant and on high alert, and that power supply to key services such as hospitals, defence infrastructure, and railways should be ensured.
Published By : Revathy G Sanal
Edited By : Subbuthai Padma
