CBOA- AP CIRCULAR NO. 004 DATED 05.02.2013

CBOA-AP issued its circular No. 004 dated 05.02.2013 reproducing AICBOF Circular on the Nationwide General Strike on 20^th and 21^st February 2013. We are placing the same here for our readers.

CIRCULAR NO.: GS: 2013: 004                                                        Date: 05.02.2013

TO ALL OFFICERS                                                               PLEASE CIRCULATE

Dear Friends,

We reproduce hereunder the Circular No. CIRCULAR/GS/2013/04 dated 04.02.2013 received from our Federation for your information.

With best regards                                                                      

Yours sincerely

(C.A. MALLIKARJUNA RAO)

GENERAL SECRETARY

………………………................................................................................

“JOIN THE NATIONWIDE GENERAL STRIKE ON 20TH AND 21STFEBRUARY, 2013 - UFBU’S CLARION CALL

We quote below the UFBU circular on the captioned subject for the information of all officers.

                                                                                                                          QUOTE

A meeting of the UFBU was held 0n 2nd Feb 2013 in Mumbai, Sri.D.S. Rishabadas General Secretary of AIBOC presided over meeting.

1) CHARTER OF DEMANDS ON WAGE REVISION:

The meeting took note that most of the Banks have given their mandate to the IBA for negotiating with the unions on the charter of demands for revision of wages and service conditions. The meeting further took note that the IBA is collecting the data from all the banks relating to number of employees, stage wise details, which would be the basis for making calculations on load, Item wise cost etc. In the meantime, it was expected that the IBA would commence the formal negotiations with the unions but IBA has not fixed up the date for the same. Having regard to the need for early wage revision, the meeting decided to address a letter to the IBA to commence the negotiations immediately.

2) BANKING LAWS AMENDED – BILLS PASSED BY PARLIAMENT:

The meeting took note that despite our protests and opposition, the Government had pushed through the Banking Law Amendment Bill providing for certain liberalisation in the Banking Regulations Act and Bank Nationalisation Act besides amending the SAREFEASI /Debt Recovery Act.  However, the clause relating to exemption of bank mergers from Competition Commission and also the clause on allowing Banks to do Forward Contract business had to be withdrawn by the Government and thus the Government could not do all that it wanted to do.

The meeting noted with thanks that number of MPs spoke both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on these Bills opposing the same and reflected the views and concerned of UFBU.  Some of them moved amendments to the Bill to modify the adverse clauses. While the Government was persisting with the Bill as it is, the MPs belong to entire BPA, Left, TMC, AIADMK, etc. staged a walk out on this issue.  Still the Government went ahead and got the Bills passed manifesting their commitment to the banking reforms.

The meeting expressed its thanks to all these political parties and MPs who echoed our demands inside the Parliament on the occasion of the consideration of these Bills. The meeting further noted that since the Government is serious about their agenda like bank mergers, giving banking license to corporate houses, etc., the UFBU should remain more united and vigilant in the days to come to oppose such measures.

3) ATTACKS IN SBI:

The meeting took note of the attacks of the management on the legitimate trade union rights and the vindictive actions against the leadership of AISBOF. The meeting decided to extend all necessary support and solidarity in case the problems are not sorted out amicably.

4) NATIONWIDE GENERAL STRIKE ON 20TH AND 21ST 2013 FEBRUARY, 2013:

The meeting welcomed the joint call of all Central Trade Unions for the nationwide General Strike on 20th and 21st February, 2013 against the anti people, anti labour, Neo-liberal economic policies being pursued by the government.

The meeting observed that in the banking sector also the government is seriously pursuing their reform measures as evidenced by the recent passage of the banking law amendment bill. The meeting also took note of the Government attempts at consolidation and merger of banks and their recent guidelines to the banks combining the banks into 8 groups In the name of functional co-ordination. Attempts are also afoot to grant licenses to industrial and corporate houses to start their own private banks thus depicting their policy of double standards- expansion of private banks and consolidation of public sector banks. There are also serious efforts to outsource the regular banking jobs and service to private contract agencies which would jeopardize the jobs and job security in the banking sector. In this situation of similar attacks in every sector and the need for a concerted effort to oppose and repulse all these attacks, the meeting welcomed the growing unity amongst the Central Trade Unions and their initiatives of united struggles and actions.

Hence the meeting decided that in continuation of struggles against the economic policies of the Government, UFBU should support the call of the Central Trade Unions and join the nationwide 2 days strike on 20th and 21st February, 2013.Accordingly, strike notice is being served on the IBA and all our units are requested to observe the strike call in all the banks all over the country including the RRBs and Co-operative Banks.

ISSUES AND DEMANDS:

Ø  In support of the 10 point Charter of Demands of Central Trade Unions

Ø  Control alarming price rise

Ø  Hands off trade union rights

Ø  Stop Banking Reforms

Ø  Stop Outsourcing

Ø  Early wage revision

Ø  Settle pending issues like compassionate appointment scheme.

                                                                                                         UNQUOTE

FRIENDS LET US BUILD BRIDGES WITH MASS ORGANIZATIONS.TIME HAS COME TO DISPLAY OUR SOLIDARITY WITH STRUGGLING MASSES.”

WITH FRATERNAL GREETINGS,

Yours Sincerely,

(A.R. SAIFULLAH)                             

GENERAL SECRETARY

AIBOC CIRCULAR NO. 6 DATED 04.02.2013

AIBOC issued its circular No. 6 dated 04.02.2013 on Pre-Budget Consultations. We are placing the same here for our readers.

CIRCULAR NO.6                                            04.02.2013

TO ALL AFFILIATES/MEMBERS:

PRE – BUDGET CONSULTATIONS

The Hon’ble Finance Minister, Govt. of India, has commenced the pre-budget consultations with the trade unions, captains of industry etc. We have given our suggestions on various issues of annual budget. Our suggestions cover wide range of budgetary proposals including direct tax on salaried persons, employment generation and poverty eradication programmes. Our main thrust is on retaining the Public Sector character of the nationalised Banks.

We have annexed a copy of the letter addressed to the Hon’ble Finance Minister, Sri.P.Chidambaram and the contents of the letter are self-explicit.

With greetings,

Sd/-

(D.S.RISHABADAS)

GENERAL SECRETARY

No. 1454/14/12                                                   Date:  04.02.2013

To,

Sri. P.Chidambaram,

Hon'ble Finance Minister,

Government of India,

NEW DELHI.

Respected Sir,

PRE BUDGET CONSULTATIONS

We have been submittill9 our representations, Requesting to invite us for the pre- budget consultations and give us an opportunity to present our views on the various issues affecting the Banking Industry. We as a trade union of officers in the Banking Industry representing more than 2.50 lac officers are not extended the invitation for the pre-budget consultations. We are not affiliated any political party. While we once again request you to invite us for the pre-budget exercise, we wish to make the following suggestions, which kindly take note of at the time of preparation of the annual budget. We also would like to urge you to hold post - budget discussions with the trade unions, including us, as is held with the corporate Associations / Federations.

We express our serious concerns about the situation of the country's economy in the present global scenario. The country is reeling under high level of inflation leading to spiraling prices, huge job losses, poverty, mounting unemployment, agrarian crisis, which have attained menacing proportions. We observe that, most of the gains of DGP growth are being wholly garnered by the corporate, employers and investors and the common people of the country are left high and dry. The realistic growth of the economy is reflected in the GDP growth along with employment growth. Hence, we urge that, the ensuing budget should be people oriented addressing the issues of poverty, social infrastructure, unemployment, agrarian crisis etc.

Our views and suggestions on the various issues confronting the nation, the Banking Industry and the officers, working in the Banking Industry are as follows and we request you to take -up with all seriousness so as to find appropriate reflection in the budget to be presented to the Parliament.

ECONOMIC ISSUES:

(a)    Effective measures should be taken to curb the spiraling price rise and arrest the inflation.

(b)   Tax, duty, cess on petroleum products should be rationalized as a part of anti-inflationary measure.

(c)    Speculative forward trading in commodities should be banned.

(d)   The public distribution system should be strengthened and universalized/to take care of the poor people.

(e)   In view of huge job losses, and the mounting unemployment problem, the recruitment in Government Departments, Public Sector undertakings and autonomous institutions, should be encouraged.

(f)     All the stimulus packages including extension of concessions, tax holidays to the Corporate bodies, must be made conditional to ban retrenchment, layoffs, closures, wage cut, Voluntary Retirement /Separation Schemes and should be to create more and more employment opportunities.

(g)    The massive work force engaged in Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), Guest Teachers, Shiksha Mitra, Vidya Volunteers, Mid-Day Meal Scheme, should be regularized. The workers engaged in the Accredited Health Activities (Asha) should be brought under the cover of statutory minimum wages and social security.

               

                Universalisation of ICDS is done as per the directions of the Supreme Court, by making                adequate budgetary allocations.

       (h) The coverage and scope of MGNREGA should be extended to urban areas as well, and   employment should be guaranteed for a minimum period of 200 days with guaranteed                 statutory wage.

       (i)     Steps must be initiated for removal of all restrictive provisions based on poverty line in                 respect of eligibility coverage of the schemes under Unorganized Workers' Social Security    Act 2008 and allocation of adequate resources for the National Fund for Unorganized          Workers (as fixed percentage of GDP) to provide for Social Security to more than 43.5 crore            unorganized sector workers including the contract, casual and migrant workers’.

PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS INCLUDING PUBLIC SECTOR BANKS.

(a)    Investment by the Central Government must be increased for creation of assets and decent employment. For the purpose, the Public Sector Units Undertakings should be strengthened and expanded. Disinvestment of shares of Public Sector Undertakings should be stopped forthwith and their huge reserves and surplus of more than Rs.6 lac crores should be used for rehabilitation of Sick Central Public Sector Undertakings and for modernization and expansion of other Central Public Sector Undertakings. It is pertinent to note that the CPSUs are having average debt equity ratio of 0.75: 1 as compared to 2.3:1 in Private Sector. Public Sector undertakings should be allowed to have more access to debt market of Banks and Financial Institutions instead of resource mobilization in equity market, through disinvestment.

(b)   The financial sector, including Banks and Insurance, which stood the test of time even the recent global melt-down, should be encouraged, enlarged and improved, instead of imposing the so called reforms, which will affect them and weaken their Public Sector Character.

INCOME TAX EXEMPTION LIMIT:

Income Tax Exemption ceiling for the salaried persons should be raised to Rs.3.00 lacs and the fringe benefits like housing) furniture, medical and) educational facilities should be exempted from the income tax net in totality.

Tax on perquisites for Bank officers is not justified as the benefits are extended as part of welfare measures.

TAX THE RICH FOR RESOURCES MOBILIZATION

A progressive taxation system should be put in place to ensure taxing the rich and the affluent sections who have the capacity to pay at a higher degree.

The Corporate Service Sector, traders, wholesale business, private hospitals and institutions etc., should be brought under broader and higher tax net. Increase taxes on luxury goods and reduce indirect taxes on essential commodities as at present the overwhelming majority of the population is subjected to indirect taxes that constitute 86% of the revenue.

Concrete steps must be taken to recover huge accumulated unpaid tax arrears which has already crossed Rs. 3 lac crores on direct and corporate tax account alone and has been increasing at a geometric proportion. Such huge tax evasion over and above the liberal tax concessions of around Rs. 2 lac crores on direct and corporate tax account should not be allowed to continue.

UNEARTH ACCUMULATION OF HUGE BLACK MONEY

Effective measures should be taken to unearth huge accumulation of Black money in the economy including the huge unaccounted money in tax heavens abroad. This money should be provided for expanding the social security measures and poverty eradication programmes.

THE NPAS IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY

Concrete measures, including effective legal remedies, must be expedited for recovering the huge Non-performing Assets of the Banking System from the willfully defaulting corporate and business houses. Defaulters should not be allowed access to fresh loans. The names of willful defaults be published in leading news papers. The individual assets of proprietors or directors be attached for default of corporate loans.

STOP CONTRACT LABOUR AND OUTSOURCING.

Contractualisaiton of labour and outsourcing of work of permanent nature be allowed. The contract labour and outsourcing of work is resulting in exploitation of the labour and payment of wages and benefits to such workers is very poor as compared to the wages and benefits available to the regular workers of the industry/establishment. The third party mediation in banking such as Business I Facilitators or business correspondents is avoided. The bank business be carried out by permanent staff of the Bank.

We hope that the suggestions made above will receive your serious consideration and will find appropriate reflection in the budget to be presented to the Parliament. We once again request you to invite us for the post -budget consultations.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(D.S.RISHABADAS)

GENERAL SECRETARY

AIBOC CIRCULAR NO. 5 DATED 02.02.2013

AIBOC issued its circular No. 5 dated 02.02.2013 on the Nationwide General Strike on 20th and 21st February, 2013. We are placing the same here for our readers.

CIRCULAR NO.5                                                          DATE: 02.02.2013

TO ALL AFFILIATES /MEMBERS:

We reproduce hereunder the text of UFBU Circular No.1 dated 31st January, 2013 contents of which are self-explicit.

With greetings,

Sd/-

(D.S.RISHABADAS)

GENERAL SECRETARY

TEXT

Ø  Join the Nationwide General strike on 20th and 21stFebruary, 2013.

Ø  UFBU’s clarion call.

A meeting of the UFBU was held today in Mumbai in AIBEA’s office. Com.D.S.Rishabadas (General Secretary, AIBOC) presided over meeting.

1) Charter of demands on wage revision:

The meeting took note that most of the Banks have given their mandate to the IBA for negotiating with the unions on the charter of demands for revision of wages and service conditions. The meeting further took note that the IBA is collecting the data from all the banks relating to numbers of employees, stage wise details, which would be the basis for making calculations on load, Item wise cost etc. In the meantime, it was expected that the IBA would commence the formal negotiations with the unions but IBA has not fixed up the date for the same. Having regard to the need for early wage revision, the meeting decided to address a letter to the IBA to commence the negotiations immediately.

2) Banking Laws Amended – Bills passed by Parliament: 

The meeting took note that despite our protests and opposition, the Government had pushed through the Banking Law Amendment Bill providing for certain liberalisation in the Banking Regulations Act and Bank Nationalisation Act besides amending the SAREFEASI /Debt Recovery Act.  However, the clause relating to exemption of bank mergers from Competition Commission and also the clause on allowing Banks to do Forward Contract business had to be withdrawn by the Government and thus the Government could not do all that it wanted to do. 

The meeting noted with thanks that number of MPs spoke both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on these Bills opposing the same and reflected the views and concerned of UFBU.  Some of them moved amendments to the Bill to modify the adverse clauses. While the Government was persisting with the Bill as it is, the MPs belong to entire BPA, Left, TMC, AIADMK, etc. staged a walk out on this issue.  Still the Government went ahead and got the Bills passed manifesting their commitment to the banking reforms.

The meeting expressed its thanks to all these political parties and MPs who echoed our demands inside the Parliament on the occasion of the consideration of these Bills. The meeting further noted that since the Government is serious about their agenda like bank mergers, giving banking license to corporate houses, etc., the UFBU should remain more united and vigilant in the days to come to oppose such measures.

3) Attacks in SBI:

The meeting took note of the attacks of the management on the legitimate trade union rights and the vindictive actions against the leadership of AISBOF. The meeting decided to extend all necessary support and solidarity in case the problems are not sorted out amicably.

4) Nationwide General Strike on 20th and 21st 2013 February, 2013:

The meeting welcomed the joint call of all Central Trade Unions for the nationwide General Strike on 20th and 21st February, 2013 against the anti people, anti labour, Neo-liberal economic policies being pursued by the government. The meeting observed that in the banking sector also the government is seriously pursuing their reform measures as evidenced by the recent passage of the banking law amendment bill. The meeting also took note of the Government attempts at consolidation and merger of banks and their recent guidelines to the banks combining the banks into 8 groups In the name of functional co-ordination. Attempts are also afoot to grant licenses to industrial and corporate houses to start their own private banks thus depicting their policy of double standards- expansion of private banks and consolidation of public sector banks. There are also serious efforts to outsource the regular banking jobs and service to private contract agencies which would jeopardize the jobs and job security in the banking sector. In this situation of similar attacks in every sector and the need for a concerted effort to oppose and repulse all these attacks, the meeting welcomed the growing unity amongst the Central Trade Unions and their initiatives of united struggles and actions.

Hence the meeting decided that in continuation of struggles against the economic policies of the Government, UFBU should support the call of the Central Trade Unions and join the nationwide 2 days strike on 20th and 21st February, 2013.Accordingly, strike notice is being served on the IBA and all our units are requested to observe the strike call in all the banks all over the country including the RRBs and Co-operative Banks.

ISSUES AND DEMANDS:

Ø  In support of the 10 point Charter of Demands of Central Trade Unions

Ø  Control alarming price rise

Ø  Hands off trade union rights

Ø  Stop Banking Reforms

Ø  Stop Outsourcing

Ø  Early wage revision

Ø  Settle pending issues like compassionate appointment scheme

Ø  Anti Trade Union action of Government and Management

Detailed Circular will be issued in this regard giving preparatory programmes like demonstrations, rallies, etc.

With greeting,

Yours comradely,

Sd/-

(P.K.SARKAR)

CONVENOR

AIBOC CIRCULAR NO. 04 DATED 31.01.2013

AIBOC issued its circular No. 04 dated 31.01.2013 on the Dearness Allowance to be paid w.e.f. 01.02.2013. We are placing the circular here for our readers.

CIRCULAR NO.04                                                         31-01-2013

TO ALL AFFILIATES/MEMBERS

DEARNESS ALLOWANCE

The Index Numbers for the quarter ended December 2012 are as under:

Month	Index as per 2001 series	Conversion Factor	Index as per 1960 series
Oct 2012	217	4.63 x 4.93	4953.22
Nov 2012	218	4.63 x 4.93	4976.04
Dec 2012	219	4.63 x 4.93	4998.87
	Total		14928.13
Average =	14928.13/13		4976.04
Difference in excess of 2836 points			2140.04
D.A. paid for the previous quarter on (i.e. 510 x 4)			2040.00
Difference			100.13
Increase in number of slabs		100.04/4=	25.01

Accordingly, Dearness Allowance is payable to Officers on 535 (i.e. 510+25) slabs with effect from 01-02-2013 as against 510 slabs for the previous quarter. The rates of Dearness Allowance at various stages of basic pay are furnished overleaf. The rates worked out are as per the industry level scales upto Scale VII including SBI.

With greetings,

Sd/-

(D.S.RISHABADAS)

GENERAL SECRETARY

D.A. PAYABLE FROM I ST FEBRUARY 13 TO  30TH  APRIL  2013
	RATE OF D.A. 0.15% PER SLAB (535 X 0.15= 80.25%)

	STAGES	BASIC	CONVERSION	EXISITING-DA	REVISED-DA	DIFFERENCE
		PAY	FACTOR	510	535	DA
	1	14500	21.750	11092.50	11636.25	543.75
	2	15100	22.650	11551.50	12117.75	566.25
	3	15700	23.550	12010.50	12599.25	588.75
	4	16300	24.450	12469.50	13080.75	611.25
	5	16900	25.350	12928.50	13562.25	633.75
	6	17500	26.250	13387.50	14043.75	656.25
	7	18100	27.150	13846.50	14525.25	678.75
	8	18700	28.050	14305.50	15006.75	701.25
	9	19400	29.100	14841.00	15568.50	727.50
	10	20100	30.150	15376.50	16130.25	753.75
	11	20900	31.350	15988.50	16772.25	783.75
	12	21700	32.550	16600.50	17414.25	813.75
	13	22500	33.750	17212.50	18056.25	843.75
	14	23300	34.950	17824.50	18698.25	873.75
	15	24100	36.150	18436.50	19340.25	903.75
	16	24900	37.350	19048.50	19982.25	933.75
	17	25700	38.550	19660.50	20624.25	963.75
	18	26500	39.750	20272.50	21266.25	993.75
	19	27300	40.950	20884.50	21908.25	1023.75
	20	28100	42.150	21496.50	22550.25	1053.75
	21	28900	43.350	22108.50	23192.25	1083.75
	22	29700	44.550	22720.50	23834.25	1113.75
	23	30600	45.900	23409.00	24556.50	1147.50
	24	31500	47.250	24097.50	25278.75	1181.25
	25	32400	48.600	24786.00	26001.00	1215.00
	26	33300	49.950	25474.50	26723.25	1248.75
	27	34200	51.300	26163.00	27445.50	1282.50
	28	35100	52.650	26851.50	28167.75	1316.25
	29	35200	52.800	26928.00	28248.00	1320.00
	30	36200	54.300	27693.00	29050.50	1357.50
	31	37200	55.800	28458.00	29853.00	1395.00
	32	38200	57.300	29223.00	30655.50	1432.50
	33	39300	58.950	30064.50	31538.25	1473.75
	34	40400	60.600	30906.00	32421.00	1515.00
	35	42000	63.000	32130.00	33705.00	1575.00
	36	43200	64.800	33048.00	34668.00	1620.00
	37	44400	66.600	33966.00	35631.00	1665.00
	38	45600	68.400	34884.00	36594.00	1710.00
	39	46800	70.200	35802.00	37557.00	1755.00
	40	48100	72.150	36796.50	38600.25	1803.75
	41	49400	74.100	37791.00	39643.50	1852.50
	42	50700	76.050	38785.50	40686.75	1901.25
	43	52000	78.000	39780.00	41730.00	1950.00
		410	0.615	313.65	329.03	15.38
		1030	1.545	787.95	826.58	38.63