JOIN USBank transactions in the district were hit as nationalised banks took part in the two-day protest called by the Indian Banks Association (IBA) on Wednesday.
Opposing amendments to the Banking Regulation Act,1949 and implementation of Khandelwal Committee recommendations, the IBA called for the bandh. Most banks had downed their shutters and even automated teller machines (ATMs) had ran out of money causing great inconvenience to the people.
The protesters opposed foreign direct investment and urged the Union government to evolve a solution to address the issue at the earliest.
They further said that the government is conspiring to shut rural banks to make way for corporate companies. If it happens, jobs will be outsourced and there will be no job security for the employees.
This is a sheer anti-labour policy of the government and we are opposing it,” said the protesters.
Kolar
Many nationalised banks remained closed due to the nation-wide strike called by the Nationalised Bank Officers and Employees' Union in the City on Wednesday.
The Union had called for two day strike-August 22 and 23, pressing for fulfilment of various demands.
The protesters also staged dharna in front of the Lead Bank in the city.
The protesters opposed amendents planned to the Banking Regulations Act and implementation of the recommendations of the Khandelwal Committee. The protesters alleged that the implementation of the recommendations in toto would affect the employees personally. They also criticised government’s stand to outsource bank jobs to private companies.
The government should immediately drop all the banking reforms as they adversely affect the employees, they added. Further, attempts are being made to shut down rural branches, which are rendering valuable service to the society, said protesters who demanded that such attempts should be stopped.
They also sought withdrawal of new directions given to the Human Resource department of the banks.