The United Forum of Bank Unions (UBFU) has extended a cautious welcome to the Jan Dhan Yojana that aims to extend banking facilities to the unbanked people.
Its views were conveyed to the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) during the latest round of bipartite talks for wage settlement.
But the UBFU expressed the fear that ‘compromises’ on KYC norms might lead to opening of fraudulent accounts for which employees should not be held accountable.
It also conveyed to the IBA that the pressure due to targets stipulated for opening of accounts were affecting delivery regular services to customers in significant manner.
Due to the stipulation on timings for opening of accounts from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., employees had to stay back beyond their working hours. The UFBU demanded that these matters needed to be duly addressed.
On the wages issue, the IBA insisted that the unions review their demand of a 25 per cent increase in payslip components since it was ‘beyond the paying capacity of banks.’
FLEXIBILITY ASSURED
To this, the UBFU responded by saying that the IBA may ‘substantially increase’ its offer of 11 per cent increase in the payslip components.
It also demanded that issues such as regulated working hours, five-day banking, and improvements in pension-related matters should simultaneously be discussed in a time-bound manner.
Also, negotiations need to be held at frequent intervals for an expeditious settlement of issues.
The UBFU extended a promise that it would be flexible in its demands depending on the response of IBA on all these matters.
IBA assured to schedule the next round of meeting within one week for comprehensive discussion on all the issues.
CLARIFICATIONS SOUGHT
The UFBU thanked the IBA for securing Government clearance for the resumption of the compassionate appointment scheme.
But it sought clarifications on issues like eligibility, applicability with regard to death cases prior to August 8, 2014, which the IBA assured to obtain from the Government and advise the unions thereafter.
Another round of bipartite talks between Indian Bank’s Association and the United Forum of Bank Unions was held in the afternoon yesterday preceded by a meeting of UFBU in the morning.
Rajeev Rishi was introduced as the new Chairman of the IBA negotiating team. He replaced TM Bhasin, who has been elevated as Chairman of IBA.