Morcha to Parliament – A Grand Success – More than 30000 Participated
ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION
AIBOA CIRCULAR LETTER NO. 12/VII/2017/
17-9-2017
Dear Comrades,
MORCHA TO PARLIAMENT – A GRAND SUCCESS
MORE THAN 30,000 PARTICIPATED
YOU HAVE DONE IT AGAIN, DEAR COMRADES
CONGRATS AND RED SALUTES TO ALL OF YOU
In a befitting reply to the efforts being made by the Government to expedite the banking reform measures, and in continuation of the militant strike action on 22nd August, 2017, more than 30,000 bankmen and women assembled in Delhi and took part in the massive Morcha to Parliament on 15th September, 2017.
From our national conference of AIBEA and AIBOA, we had given the clarion call to further unite and to intensify our struggle against the increasing attacks and challenges and to save the banks from being destroyed by the loan defaulters and aided by the Government’s inaction to ensure recovery of the huge bad loans.
In tune with this call, we took the initiatives which resulted the UFBU’s call for strike on 28th February, 2017 which was a grand success.
But it was observed that the Government was going ahead with their attempts to push through their reforms agenda. Associate Banks were closed down and forcibly merged with SBI. Even for giving capital to the Banks, Government was making all types of conditions. They were talking of further mergers. On the other hand, attempts were being made to let off the defaulters in the name of IBC. The signal was clear that Government wanted to expedite their efforts.
Hence AIBEA, along with AIBOA, decided to go for mass mobilisation and organise a Morcha to Parliament. This time also, other Unions came forward to join the programme and UFBU was ready to go for further strike action also. Thus, we witnessed a magnificent strike on 22nd August, 2017. Close on the heels of this united action, preparations started for the Morcha to Parliament on 15th September, 2017.
We are happy that this Morcha has turned out to be a huge success. It was massive indeed. All our unions ensured large participation. Our rank and file membership participated in the Morcha with full enthusiasm. Ram Leela maidan was a sight to see on 15th morning. It was an ocean of bank employees and officers holding the banner of AIBEA, AIBOA and UFBU.
The courage and determination to fight back the attacks were visible. The spirited slogans raised during the entire procession was proof of their commitment to resist the challenges. The Morcha was simply superb, marvelous, splendid and wonderful.
The Public Rally in the Parliament Street was equally impressive. For the first time, leaders of all the Central Trade Unions (INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC ,TUCC , SEWA, AICCTU, UTUC, LPF) came to our Rally and extended their support. Prominent political leaders and Members of Parliament spoke in our Rally and expressed their support and solidarity.
At our initiative, a meeting was arranged with the Finance Minister with the help of Com D. Raja, Member of Parliament from Communist Party of India. UFBU leaders met the Finance Minister after the Morcha and submitted a detailed Memorandum on our demands, thus drawing the personal attention of the Government. We hope that Government would understand the demands and change their line. Otherwise our struggle would be carried forward.
All of us are aware that this Morcha and massive mobilisation is a part of our long-drawn and prolonged struggle in defence of public sector banking, against attempts of privatisation and consolidation and to force the Government to take stringent measures to recover the bad loans from corporate defaulters. Our struggle is to save banks, to save the economy, to save the people and to save the nation.
We greet and congratulate all our unions and members all over the country for their rousing response to the call.
With greetings
Yours comradely,
C.H. VENKATACHALAM / S. NAGARAJAN
GENERAL SECRETARY / GENERAL SECRETARY
AIBEA / AIBOA
Source: http://www.aiboa.org/