Bank employees strike work accross the Nation

New Delhi, July 28 (UNI) Banking services across the country were disrupted today because of a day-long strike by over one million employees against a Government move to outsource services and clearing operations.

The strike was called by the All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers' Association (AIBOA) and the Bank Employees' Federation of India (BEFI).

The State Bank of India, its associate banks, the Bank of Baroda and Indian Overseas Bank employees did not participate in the strike.

Protest demonstrations, rallies and sit-ins were organised in all states as part of the strike, AIBEA Vice-President Ramanand said.

Hundreds of protestors joined a demonstration at the Jantar Mantar in the capital.

The striking unions are opposing a RBI circular on outsourcing bank jobs, privatisation of clearing departments and merger of banks.

They are also demanding recruitment in banks in place of outsourcing, filling of nearly 100,000 vacant posts through proper recruitment policy in public sector banks and expeditious extension of another pension option for retired Bank employees.

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