CPI member raises bank unions' demand of 5-day work per week

Another major issue is shortage of staff in public sector banks, he said.

New Delhi: Rajya Sabha CPI member Sandosh Kumar P on Tuesday asked the Finance Minister to address the bank unions' demands, including filling up vacant posts in public sector banks, and five-day working in a week.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, Kumar said the United Forum of Bank Unions, an umbrella organisation of nine unions, has called for a 48-hour bank strike on March 24-25 to press for their demands.

He Stressed that bank employees, especially in public sector banks, are facing a lot of problems.

One of the major issues is shortage of staff in public sector banks, he said.

Sandosh said there are about 2.11 lakh vacancies in banks. Lack of adequate staff is adversely affecting the mental health of workers as they are overburdened, he said.

Another issue is related to five-day working in a week for bank employees.

"It was a demand from bank employees, and there is a consensus also. The bank authorities, the Indian Bank Association, also agreed to the same. And now, the request is pending before the Union finance ministry," he said.

In support of this demand, he said there is five-day working in the insurance sector and even the Reserve Bank of India.