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Hunger Strike on Onam: Federal Bank Employees Stage Protest at Headquarters
Federal Bank Employees Union observes a one-day hunger strike, demanding recruitment and fair practices.
Author: Abhivad
Published: September 14, 2024
As the state of Kerala is celebrating Onam, the Federal Bank Employees Union organised a one-day protest action titled "Hunger Strike on Onam" at the Federal Bank headquarters in Aluva, Ernakulam, on 13 September 2024. The event is part of the ongoing agitation programme led by the union, demanding staff recruitment and an end to certain unfair practices.
Protest for Recruitment and Employee Rights
The hunger strike, held two days before Thiruvonam, saw participation from Federal Bank employees across Kerala. In solidarity, employees from other bank branches also skipped lunch to support the protest. The strike focused on issues including staff shortages and pressures on employees to sell insurance products.
The key demands of the protesting employees are recruitment for Clerk, Peon, and Sweeper positions, regularisation of temporary, contract, and outsourced workers, and a halt to misleading practices regarding insurance product sales.
The protest was inaugurated by former Kerala Agriculture Minister Shri V. S. Sunilkumar, who emphasised the need for Federal Bank to strengthen its services in Kerala. He pointed out that while the bank's national loan-to-deposit ratio is 82%, it stands at only 44% in Kerala, despite collecting a majority of its deposits from the state. He urged the bank to resolve the staff shortage crisis by appointing adequate personnel.
Several key figures addressed the gathering, including All Kerala Bank Employees Federation President Mr. KS Krishna, General Secretary Mr. B. Ramprakash, INTUC Leader Mr. VP George, Federal Bank Employees Union President Mr. Vishal Thacker, General Secretary Mr. AR Sujith Raju, Federal Bank Officers Association General Secretary Mr. PR Shimit, All Kerala Bank Retirees Federation General Secretary Mr. K Srinivasan, and Federal Bank Retirees General Secretary Mr. CM Devassi.
Ongoing Agitation
The hunger strike is part of a broader agitation programme by the employees, who have long raised concerns about staff shortages and unfair labour practices. The union has been advocating for the regularisation of outsourced workers and improvements in working conditions at the bank. The employees have made it clear that their protest will continue until their demands are met.