Three-day Nationwide Bank Strike from March 11

The Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) and All India BankEmployees' Association (AIBEA) has called for a three-day nationwide bankstrike on March 11, 12 and 13.

The strike will hamper the banking transaction and otherofficial work as it has been called ahead of the second Saturday which is a holidayfor the banks. Therefore, bank workings will be affected for five consecutivedays including Sunday.

BEFI and AIBEA demanded a hike in wage by 20 percent withadequate loading thereof.

The IBA, however, agreed on a hike up to 19 percent including aperformance-linked incentive.

The Reserve Bank of India, while responding to a PIL filed atGujarat High Court said that it has no role to play in disputes betweenconcerned banks and their employees.

The PIL was filed seeking the HC's direction to RBI to directbanks to take action against their employees for joining strikes.

The RBI further stated that the issue was not policy-related and hence it cannot intervene.

The RBI also informed the court that each bank has its servicerules and that it has no control over the staff of the banks.

The unions have also threatened to call for an indefinite strikefrom April 1 if their demand for wage revision is not met after the strike thatthey will undergo from March 11.