People's Democracy

Total Strike At RBI HQ In Kolkata

THE one-day strike at the call of the All-India Reserve Bank Employees’ Association (AIRBEA) was a complete and overwhelming success at the Kolkata head office of the Reserve Bank. The AIRBEA has called the strike action after a long movement in demand of filling up of vacancies at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The Kolkata office witnessed the unprecedented sight of both officers and the workers coming forth to join in the strike, bringing the RBI transactions to a complete halt for the day. None of the 2000 staff joined duty. They organised instead day-long meetings at the main gate of the RBI, and wore protest badges.

It is important to note and stress that the strike call did not involve in its charter of demands any economic or financial benefits. The call was for strengthening the over-all functioning of this prime national financial institution by filling up the vacancies that were increasing by the day through transfer outs and retirements. The decision to fill up vacancies would also generate employment for qualified youth who remain unemployed. Another important demand was the opening up of a branch of the RBI at the steel township of Durgapur in Burdwan district. This, too, would help absorb a section of the unemployed work force.

The past two months saw the RBI employees mounting a statewide campaign in support of the strike call. They organised meetings, rallies, and marches, and explained to the people the reasons why the AIRBEA had chosen to go in for a one-day strike. Notable was the intimidating reaction of a deputy general manager of the RBI. The concerned officer had written in, threatening withdrawal of the AIRBEA’s recognition as a TU. The resultant reaction added further and fresh vigour to the movement albeit in an organised form. The RBI governor has received strong letters of protest in this regard not only from the leadership of the AIRBEA but also from the state coordination committee and from the Bank Employees’ Federation of India (BEFI). (BP)