the goan I network
PANAJI
Banking services in Goa, particularly in PSU banks are likely to be affected for two days -- January 31 and February 1, with the Goa Bank Employees’ Association (GBEA) extending support to the nation-wide strike call given by United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).
The UFBU which consists of 9 bank unions of employees and officers - AIBEA, AIBOC, NCBE, AIBOA, BEFI, INBEF, INBOC, NOBW and NOBO, are demanding Wage Revision Settlement for bank employees and officers due from November 2017.
According to a press note issued by Goa Bank Employees’ Association General Secretary A M Pereira, keeping in mind the past experience of delay in arriving at settlements, the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, vide their communication dated 12-1-2016 advised all the bank managements and IBA to expedite and conclude the 11th Bipartite Wage Settlement well before November 2017. Hence unions also submitted the charter of demands well before and the negotiations also commenced in May 2017 with the assurance that the settlement would be arrived at before November 2017.
Unfortunately, the IBA did not make any offer on wage increase until May 2018 when their very meagre offer of a 2% increase was offered. After a series of discussions in the last 30 months, the IBA has improved their offer only to a hike of 12.25% while even in the last settlement, the government cleared a hike of 15%, stated the press note.
Chief Labour Commissioner, Ministry of Labour, Government of India intervened and held a conciliation meeting on January 27 at his office in Delhi. During the conciliation, IBA remained adamant and rigid in their attitude and hence there was no improvement in the position.
In view of the above, there is no alternative before the unions and they are compelled to highlight their demands through their agitation, added the press note.
