Manipur, IMPHAL, August 22: Banks in the state including the private banks remained closed today on the first day of the two day strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) protesting against the government’s reforms of the banking sector.
Speaking to a select group of media persons on the sideline of a group sit in protest in front of the SBI, MG Avenue, UFBU, Manipur co convener Indrakumar said the two day protest strike is against the government’s policies of outsourcing banking jobs, closure of rural branches of banks, banking sector reforms, unilateral implementation of the Khandelwand committee recommendation, arbitrary guidelines on HR issues, and is demanding from the government to stop it.
The sit in protest was participated by employees of several banks.
Meanwhile, even though the Manipur Rural bank and Cooperative bank remained opened on the first day, employees of the two banks have extended their moral support to the strikers, he added.
Strike called off: Meanwhile, the cease work strike of the All Manipur National Rural Health Mission Technical Support Staff Union has been called off till August 28 following a positive response from the state Chief Secretary.
According to general secretary Salam Pari, the cease work strike which had begun on August 18 has been called off after a meeting with the state Chief Secretary today.
He continued that the union will be meeting the authorities again on August 28 as today’s meeting could not bring any amicable solution as both the Mission Director and the Finance Commissioner are both out of station.
The demands of the union include changes in the difference of pay structures, salary increment and performance based honorarium of the employees.
He further informed that the cease work strike will be completely called off if the authorities assure their salaries according to the PIC norms of the Finance department.
He also alleged that the Programme Manager of the State Mission, Ng Monota is not qualified for the post and as such she is unable to perform her works effectively.
He lamented that the post should be held by an MBA or MPH with work experience; however Monota has only finished her MSc in Sociology.
He further appealed the concerned department to look into the issue.