Andhra Pradesh unit of United Forum of Bank Unions has decided to join the All India general strike on February 20 and 21in support of a 10-point charter of demands of the Central Trade Unions.
In a pressnote here, UFBU convener VVSR Sarma has stated that some ten lakh bank employees including officers will be participating in the strike. He stated that they have decided to launch an extensive poster display before all bank branches and distribution of pamphlets and leaflets to the customers and general public about their demands. The UFBU units and members will participate in mass demonstrations in all cities and towns on February 18 and 19 and strike rallies will be taken on February 20 and 21, he added.
The ten demands of Central trade unions are: Concrete measures to contain price rise; effective measures for employment generation; strict implementation of Labour laws; universal social security cover for organized and unorganized workers and creation of National Social Security Fund; stoppage of disinvestment in Central and state PSUs/undertakings; No contractorisation of work of permanent/perennial nature and payment of wages and benefits to the contract workers at the same rate as available to the regular workers of the industry/establishment; amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage, irrespective of the schedules and fixation of statutory minimum wage at not less than Rs 10,000 linked with cost price index; removal of all ceilings on payment and eligibility of bonus, Provident Fund, increased quantum of gratuity; assured pension to all and compulsory registration of trade unions within 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO Convention Nos 87 and 98. (NSS)