Thiruvananthapuram: Led by the Kerala Bank Employees Congress, Kerala Bank employees will go on strike statewide on November 28, 29, and 30. Employees from the bank’s 823 branches, regional district offices, and head office will participate in the strike.
The strike is in protest against the negative stance taken by the government, the Cooperation Minister, and the Kerala Bank management regarding the employees’ demands, which include the approval of a 39% hardship allowance, the formation of a committee to revise salaries that have been overdue for three years, the reporting of around 2,000 vacancies to the PSC, and the granting of promotions to employees in Malappuram district that have been delayed for three years.
The strike follows the failure of the Cooperation Minister to implement any of the decisions made in the meeting with employee representatives on February 26, despite nine months passing. A two-day strike was held on July 30 and 31, followed by a non-cooperation movement starting in September, and a 15-day ongoing satyagraha in front of the bank’s head office starting November 1, along with a march to the Minister’s residence. However, the government and management continue to deny justice to the employees.
In protest against this, the union has declared a strike for three days, including on November 29, the bank’s fifth anniversary. Employees have warned that if the issues are not resolved, they will escalate to an indefinite strike.
