In its circular dated 21st November, 2013, UFBU has admitted
that although it is now over 12 months since 10th BPS has become overdue, yet
"there is no significant progress in the 10th Bipartite Wage negotiations even
though it was initially assured by IBA to conclude the wage negotiation process
at the earliest". Still, UFBU has handled IBA with kid gloves during
all this period. In this background, the much awaited IBA and UFBU
meeting was finally held on 14th December, 2013 (i.e. almost after two months of
the last meeting). This meeting was held when UFBU had already given a
strike notice for 18th December, 2013 i.e. strike is to take place within four
days of the meeting.
Inspite of their UFBU brandishing their last resort weapon
i.e. strike, IBA snubbed the G-9 Union Leaders (known as UFBU) by offering
5% increase over the wage expenses covered by the payslip components.
It was so low an offer that UFBU was even reluctant to talk immediately after
the talks and they told that the IBA is not satisfactory and thus strike stands.
They did not have the courage to say initially that IBA had offered merely 5%
increase. Anyway, slowly the cat was out of the bag and soon they had to
issue the circular. The UFBU has issued its circular dated 14th
December, 2013 (Copy of the same can be downloaded by
CLICKING HERE ),
which can be summed up as
follows:-
(a) Initially
IBA told that it would be difficult to take any additional cost on account of
wage increase; (This means IBA intially offered 0% increase);
(b) After lot
of explanations by UFBU members about high inflation and increase in operating
profits etc., followed by lot of discussions, IBA offered 5% increase over the
wage expenses covered by the payslip components;
(c) IBA also
stated that they would like to cover the wage revision negotiations with UFBU
only upto Scale III officers. (this means there will be separate
negotiations or announcements for wage revision of Scale IV to Scale VII);
(d) Government
is not in favour of introduction of 5 day banking;
(e)
Compassionate appointment scheme is still under consideration of the Government
(UFBU is still continuing this demand in the wage negotition, whereas it needs
to be delinked from wage negotiations);
This pathetic
increase of 5% after
5 years,
means, an increase
of 1% annually.
I am very much sure,
everybody is well
aware of the
following facts :-
(a) The inflation rate is
much higher than the compensation paid in the shape of rise in DA, which results
that with every passing month, the wages of bankers in real terms go in
negative;
(b) In last few years, GoI
has increased the scope of various taxes like VAT, Service Tax by increasing the
rate and / or covering additional services in the net. Thus, the
expenditure on such services like visits to hotels, telephone bills, gas supply,
have gone up. Thus, the purchasing power of the bankers, inspite of
getting additional DA, is reducing with each passing day.
In nutshell we can say that
the salary in hand available for spending is lesser and lesser in real terms or
real purchasing power. In such circumstances,
the offer of 5%
increase is nothing but a JOKE with the banking fraternity.
Now question arises, as to
how IBA can dare to offer a mere 5% increase in salaries after 5 years, when
there has been so much hue and cry all around for honourable settlement and high
salaries for Central Government employees. I can trace that it can be one
or combination of the following factors : -
(a) IBA has realised that
Union Leaders and Bank
Unions are toothless and can only barge and not take
action. They can at best go for one or two days strike, which can
result in loss to customers but will save hundreds of crores of rupees to banks
in the shape of deductions in salaries.
(b) Union leaders have sold
their soul and are ready to bend backward to any extent to keep their bosses
happy so that they allow their fiefdom to continue. They issue circulars
after month / two months just to keep their cadre engaged.
(c)
Clubbing of issues like
Stopping of Banking Reforms alongwith Wage Revision has sent a message to IBA
and GoI that unions are least bothered for wage revision and more interested in
stopping bank reforms to save their respective territories.
(d) GoI feels that paying
reasonable salaries to bankers will lead them empowered to raise their voices on
other matters like corruption, NPA etc. and thus
pay them low so that poor
talent is attracted to banks and they can enjoy the fruits of public money.
This is on similar premises wherein politicians love to keep large population
below poverty line so that they keep on struggling for day to day requirements
and find no time to raise voice against the corrupt political class.
The future does not seem to
be rosy for bankers, as in the given circumstances, it is unlikely that bankers
can expect increase of over 12% or so inspite of strikes for few days.
There is a need for drastic steps (even beyond strike) - may be throwing of the
old unions. Young Bankers have to start a new movement as old
bankers have already resigned to their fate. Like AAP of Kejriwal, new
innovative methods have to be adopted and the free fund flow of crores of rupees
to existing unions has to be cut by starting a movement for change. Till
new leaders emerge with self-less interest, bankers need to suffer as our poor
population is suffering.
I am
waiting for the new ray of hope, which I feel will come from younger generation
bankers with the help of some senior colleagues who have vast experience
of banking. Retired Bankers
serving as leaders and those who are on the verge of retirement need to now pass
on the baton to young bankers to challenge IBA and GoI.
Senior colleagues can guide and / or make suggestions to the young people but
not interfere in the day to day affairs. It is something like that happens
in our families. As sons and daughters grow, we slowly stop day to day
interference in their life but keep a check if they try to drift from the right
path. There is a strong need to show maturity and retire with honour from
public life.
In the
meantime, bankers must go on strike on 18th December, 2013, as even the
reconciliatory proceedings have failed and unions have issued the final call for
strike. The unity needs to be maintained at this juncture.
an article by Shri Rajesh Goyal
http://www.allbankingsolutions.com/Wage-Revision/Xth-Bipartite-Settlement/IBA-snubs-5percent-increase.htm
