Bank Unions Urge Kerala Government To Close Branches In Triple Lockdown Areas

News

Kochi | Updated on July 07, 2020 Published on July 07, 2020

United Forum of Bank Unions has urged the Kerala Chief Minister to close bank branches functioning in triple lockdown areas and containment zones so as to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The government should also take into account the practical difficulty being faced by customers and employees to reach the branches, said CD Josson, convenor, UFBU.

He charged that the administration in several districts is least bothered about the functioning of bank branches in the pandemic-induced situation and are forcing branches to function with normal working hours even in containment zones. Such orders assume significance at a time when the Government is asking the common man to remain at home and come out only if essential, he said.

In the initial orders, banks were included in the list of offices to be closed. Later the order was modified so that banks are to function with minimum staff, he said adding that almost all other offices are closed in containment zones and banks are the only exception.

According to him, SLBC advisories as well as the State government orders issued so far compel banks to function with a full complement of staff with full working hours extending all types of activities. This naturally increases the footfall in the branches, thereby causing great risk to employees as well as customers.

UFBU requested the authorities to issue necessary instructions and keep the bank branches open from 10 am to 2 pm throughout the State with 33 per cent workforce on a rotation basis as also to declare Saturdays as holidays till the situation improves.

Bank employees were exempted from Covid anti-body test. The Union had been representing the same and recently SLBC communicated that bank employees are also included in the random tests. The direction is yet to see the light of the day, he said.

Published on July 07, 2020

RECENT NEWS

Steeped In Tradition: USAA Kicks Off 124th Army-Navy Game Celebrations In A Massive Way, Honoring 250th Anniversary Of The Boston Tea Party

USAA honors history of rivalry game and the city, bringing giant bag of tea to Boston’s historic sites Read more

USAA Life Insurance Announces New Relationship With Trust & Will

USAA Life Insurance Company, a leading financial services brand for military members and their families, and Trust &... Read more

“Go Beyond Thanks:” New Survey Reveals We Should Do More Than Simply Thank Our Veterans For Their Service

Data Reveals Half of Military/Veterans Surveyed Feel Uncomfortable or Awkward When Someone Says the Phrase “Thank You ... Read more

USAA Expanding Education Program To Include Tuition-Free Support For Employees And Employee Dependents

Company also announces student loan 401(k) contribution match up to 8% Read more

USAA Life Insurance Company Introduces Fixed Indexed Annuity

New product provides tax-deferred growth along with principal protection to help build retirement savings.  Read more

USAA, Truist Settle Remote Deposit Capture Litigation

USAA and Truist Bank have entered into a settlement and patent license agreement that resolves the remote deposit captur... Read more