Public banks to strike work on March 28-29

Customers of public sector banks (PSBs) may have to face inconvenience tomorrow and day after due to a two-day nationwide strike. The employees’ unions are going on strike on March 28-29 in order to oppose the government’s move to privatise public sector banks and the Banking Laws Amendment Bill 2021.

Around 9 lakh employees of PSBs like the State of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Central Bank of India will go on a two-day strike.

In a regulatory filing the State Bank of India said, “We advise that while the bank has made necessary arrangements to ensure normal functioning in its branches and offices on the days of strike, it is likely that work in our bank may be impacted to a limited extent, by the strike.”

This is, however, not the first strike organised against privatisation of public sector banks.

In 2021, bank unions under the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) declared a nationwide strike against the proposed privatisation of public banks.

Meanwhile, a joint forum of central trade unions has given a call for a nationwide strike on March 28 and 29, to protest against government policies affecting workers, farmers, and people.