AIBEA warns of nationwide strike, urges Centre to fill 1 lakh vacancies

Instead of filling vacancies, banks are trying to outsource staff on temporary and contract basis,  claims AIBEA.

MUMBAI: The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) has warned of a nationwide mass movement demanding immediate recruitment to posts lying vacant for the past few years. At the same time, a nationwide public and private bank strike has also been warned if the demands are not met. In a statement on Monday, AIBEA general secretary CH Venkatachalam said they are demanding adequate recruitment of staff in banks to fill all vacancies as it affects effective and satisfactory service to customers. He said, “In the last few years, banks have not been hiring enough staff. Hiring has been slow. Recruitment of subordinate employees is completely stopped. There are more than one lakh vacancies in banks, where no recruitment is being done.” Instead of filling these vacancies, banks are trying to outsource these permanent post on temporary and contract basis, he claims. AIBEA strongly opposes it.

Meanwhile, while talking about the recovery of bad loans, Venkatachalam insisted on taking measures to recover the debts besides demanding the government to publish the list of defaulters. He said, NPAs (non-performing loans) in banks have increased over the years. Most of the non-performing loans are of large private corporate entities. Instead of taking strict action against defaulters in debt recovery, they are being given huge concessions. Large amounts of loans given to corporate bodies are being written off. Banks are facing losses due to such written-off. This is not acceptable. We are opposed to concessions given to big loan defaulters. He pointed out that the total amount of loans written off by banks during 2001-23 was Rs. 14,56,805 crore. He also questioned how the outstanding debt of Rs. 61,832 crore of Adani Group of companies alone was settled at Rs 15,977 crore?