Sunday, February 16, 2014

REJOINDER TO FM’s STATEMENT ON BANKS’ PROFITS!!


ALL INDIA BANK OFFICERS’ CONFEDERATION 

 Phone:011-23730096 Tel/Fax 23719431  
 E-Mail: aiboc.sectt@gmail.com 
  
Circular No. 2014/19 Dated: 13/02/2014 

Dear Comrades, 

“ALL PROFITS CAN’T BE USED TO PAY HIGHER WAGES” :AGREED 
BUT ARE THESE MEANT TO PROFIT THE PRIVATES ? 

While we share the anger and anguish of our membership over the statement of Hon’ble Finance 
Minister, Sh. P. Chidambram on the occasion of 78th
 foundation day of Indian Overseas Bank on 
10thFebruary,2014, we also thank him for once again (he is already on record in Parliament that 
profitability of the banking industry is increasing) accepting the fact that BANKS ARE EARNING 
PROFITS.

 We also agree with him that Banks’ profits are not for enhancing the wages, but, we 
also wish to remind the following:

1. The Prime objectives of the Nationalisation were to bring parity in the society which was 
branded as a major bold and historical decision of the century by late Smt. Indira Gandhi, 
the celebrity Prime Minister of the country. 

2. Nation had acknowledged that it was historical as it believed that prime focus after 
Nationalisation would be poverty alleviation by upbringing the rural poor through various 
welfare schemes introduced and implemented through nationalised banks. 

3. The workforce of the Nationalised banks also responded fittingly by spreading its presence 
from 8000 to more than 80000 branches since Nationalisation, in every nook and corner of 
the country, dedicated and devoted their lives in executing government’s initiatives and 
policies, unmindful of personal comforts, participated whole heartedly in the nation building 
by way of uplifting the downtrodden above poverty line. 


4. Through this unparallel dedication by the employees of PSBs the presence of branches 
today has crossed 100000+ from mere 8262 branches as on the date of Nationalisation 
during 1969. 

5. Against their own policy, the government has attempted to encourage private sector to 
enter in to banking business. The resultant is that many private banks which commenced 
their business with fanfare became failure, a few transformed in to foreign banks and one 
was taken over by nationalised bank at the cost of nationalised bank’s business and profit. 

But still the nationalised banks were commanding 70% market share and 
making huge profits. 

6. Years back, world witnessed the failure of banking institutions all over and west was worst 
hit which brought the top banks to dust. Economic recession was the word substituted for 
the mismanagement. But Indian banking sector was shining as usual and Indian banks 
were making huge profits even in that adverse scenario. 
 Is it not the testimony for the managerial ability of workforce of Indian banking 
system? 7. Keeping the eyes on the vote bank, debt relief schemes were introduced which has marred 
the recovery mechanism in the banking industry and it became a major contributor in NPA 
building in the rural branches.  
Still banking sector made profits. 
8. Government forced the banks to restructure the advances due to natural calamities, banks 
did so to revitalise the rural economy. 
 Still banks generated profits. 
9. When the Govt. wanted the inclusive growth by introducing financial inclusion and ordered 
to ensure the presence even in remote, The Banks responded instantly to bring unbanked 
corners under banking services at huge expenses. 
 Still banks earned profits. 
10. When the govt. wanted to introduce DBT, we have readily agreed and accepted to carry 
out the un-remunerative business unminding the profit in the interest of countrymen. 
 Still banks have shown profit in the business. 
11. So many self employment training institutes are run by the banks for skill development in 
Indian youth at huge cost from out of the income earned. 
 Still banks are making profits. 
12. Recently Election education to the public is also entrusted to the banks in 543 districts. 
Banks will be undertaking this responsibility also with their resources and manpower. 
 Still banks are running their business with profits. 
13. In order to help the private corporate, CDR was forced on PSU Banks which is a drain on 
hard earned income of Banks. The income is further drained out in the form of Income tax 
and forced dividends from profits. 

Still sufficient Profits are available. 
The causative factors for pulling down the profits (beyond the reach of employees) 
are: 
a. Policies of the government. 
b. Impact of economic slowdown which is also resultant of government policies. 
 c. Write off of bad debts. 
 d. Concessions to be extended in permitting CDR to corporate. 
In the midst of all the above adverse situations forced by the controllers’ compulsions 
where the workers are not having any role, the Indian banks are making profits. 
A view on the following will depict a perfect picture on the power of public sector 
banks’ work force. 

 PSU BANKS PROFITABILITY (IN CRORES) 
                               2011      2012       2013 
GROSS PROFIT 99,981 116,335 121,943 
PROVISIONS     55,080   66,821   71,360 
NET PROFIT       44,901  49,514    50,583 

Notwithstanding the fact that PSU BANKS are consistently earning huge and 
increasing profits, we, the most responsible trade unions, are not linking our wage 
demand to the profit and we are DEMANDING WAGES AS OUR RIGHT. It was well defined and designed policy decided between bank employees and IBA to revise the 
wages every five years to provide a decent living for the bank employees who are playing a 
pivotal role in nation building. More so, for the officers the wage increase shall be linked to risk 
and responsibilities they shoulder. 
It is only the IBA which is linking the profitability with wage revision. Though we are primarily 
differing from the IBA’s views of linking the profitability with wage revision, the following 
arguments naturally arise even if it is taken for a debate 

1. If the profitability is the basis for the wage increase how the govt. employees are given 
manifold increase from out of the deficit budget? 
2. Why the value of the current shareholding is not reckoned by the govt. which nationalised 
the banks at par value, which was built up to the current level by the hard work rendered 
by the bank employees? 
3. When the govt. talks about capital infusion to increase their hold, why the dividend 
received over a period of four decades is not taken into account? 
4. If the govt. wants to take big chip in the name of Income tax also besides the huge 
dividend, how people would believe the crocodile tears of building up capital from the 
internal resources? 
5. If the govt. really wishes to build the capital out of internal resources how the govt. will 
justify their action of siphoning huge money from the banks in the name of interim 
dividend in September 2013 itself without even allowing the banks to retain such money 
and employ it to maximise the profit till march 2014? 
6. The PSB Banks would witness huge exodus due to superannuation within a period of five 
years from today to the tune of about 80% which needs about 10 lac employees to be 
recruited over a period of five years to replace the retirees and to face the future growth. 
-Is it not the responsibility of the Government, the majority stake holder, to initiate steps to 
recruit quality youth and introduce policies to retain youth in the Industry, so as to ensure 
the existence of PSBs from the potential threat of becoming extinct? 
-Should the threat of poaching the existing staff of PSB banks by New generation Private 
Sector Banks and foreign banks, not be a concern of Managements/IBA and Govt.

DO WE NOT DESERVE A SMALL SHARE OF PROFITS TO MEET OUR LEGITIMATE 
DEMAND OF REASONABLE COMPENSATION 

PSU Banks in India posted a profit of whooping 121917 crores during the year 2012-13 and if 
15% of the profits is provided, a reasonable wage hike can be given to the bank staff for next five 
years. After setting apart this negligible percentage from out of the profit earned to the hard 
working bank employees, the balance can be diverted towards providing bad debts and other 
purposes prescribed by the Hon’ble Finance Minister.

It is indeed unfortunate and provocative that the finance minister suggests providing towards bad 
debts at the cost of employees legitimate salary revision, instead of initiating recovery measures 
by introducing stringent recovery measures. 
When the responsible reply does not come forth, should we not conclude that the Government 
policy is profiting the private by allowing the banks to decay through demoralising the staff? 

WE REQUEST OUR MEMBERS TO WIDELY CIRCULATE THIS COMMUNICATION TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY TO CREATE AWARENESS AND PUT THE FACTS STRAIGHT. 

 With Revolutionary greetings, Yours comradely, 

 (HARVINDER SINGH) 
 GENERAL SECRETARY 

16 comments:

Unknown said...

I am unable to understand why ufbu is scheduling its meeting on 19th.
why not on 17th or 18th?
you are delaying the settlement by your own.
just announce a infinite strike, smash the economy on its knees and govt will understand us.

Unknown said...

and this corrupt FM is not honorable

Anonymous said...

Sir, Please demand to dissolve IBA they are working in favour of Government and not us. Once these seniors move to IBA they forget all the pain and stress bank people have. Their is huge disparity between central government and government banks can't they see that. It's better further we approch through labour commison instead of this IBA pathetic brokers of Chidu.

rajeevkojha said...

Govt employees are first rate citizens,RBI officials are second rate,SBI third rate,their Assiciate Banks fourth rate and other bankers are fifth rate citizens in the eyes of the Govt.
Thanks to Union-walas.Pillai wanted bank officers to be equal to the first rate citizens but Unions fought hard to reduce the bank officers to the level of fifth rate citizens.

Unknown said...

Had our UFBU Leaders meet Rahul Gandhi, our wage settlement would have been over. No need of going on strike etc. But these leaders have least concern for the aam bankers.

surinder sandhu said...

Govt ko kyon kos rahe ho. aapki demands kya hai, kitne me satisfy hoge, kisi ko pata hai kya. charter of demands neither discussed with IBA, nor with Govt. forget about discussions in media/public forum. 10-12 karva kar 12-13% par settlement ho jayegi. sab kuchh fix hai.

Anonymous said...

Mere 10% increase in bankers salary contribute just 3000 crore to government and our demand for reasonable settlement of 20% to 25% will only amount to 6000 crore to 7500 crore to government which is legimate. Bank earned 120000 crore of gross profit and this is petty amount which is legimate to demand. Union should take tough stand to project our demand and should go for resolve our demand or go for indefinite strike

Anonymous said...

Agale kuch din me aachar sanhita lag jayegi fir hame milega babaji ka thulla. Ye ufbu govt ke ishare par kam kar rahi hai nahi to ye iba ke 13.02.14 ki meeting cancel karte hi indefinite strike par chali gayi hoti. Ufbu hye hye

vikas kumar yadav said...

Condition of banker getting pathetic day by day. Waiving off bad debts and providing subsidy to useless scheme
Which is going to npa right on day it is sanctioned and measuring our profitability by government wrong policy. Inspite of it we are earning very good even after making provision to bad debts. I am very surprised to see FM interim budget dont have even place for bankers. We will have to demand our legimate due from government forcefully and union leader take matter seriously in meeting on 19.02.2014. Take firm and prompt action in favour of banking fraternity.

Unknown said...

as we know that apart from the banks insurance companies and the other public sector companies wage revesion is due, instead of going alone why can't we join together in a forum and compel the govt to bend to our demands. really ridiculous, such a pathetic condition we are facing..........

Anonymous said...

ufbu leaders are behaving like children s they will accept what the govt says they wont least concerned about new generation mind set if this continues non of new generation people will join banks ans pensioner will suffer including top management
people.Understand the importance of the wage revision and act immediately.

Anonymous said...

IT IS TIME TO GO IN FOR DEFINITE STRIKE AND SHOW THE STRENGTH, INSTEAD OF SUCCUMBING TO THIS DELAYED TACTICS OF IBA. WE ARE NOT BEGGARS. DO NOT ACCEPT ANY MEAGRE HIKE. LET US BE PAR WITH THE CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES AT LEAST, WHO DOES NOT HAVE ANY FINANCIAL RISK.UNIONS SHOULD NOT BECOME PUPPETS.

Anonymous said...

Wait for the elections to get over. Then go for a renewed demand of not less than the 7th pay commission else indefinite strike. We are cheating anyone nor are we beggars. We are demanding what is just and right.

Unknown said...

Banks are centralized but why not the central pay? Why should bank have different pay scale? Bank employee is also be treated as a Central govt employee?

That should be our demand. Then only we can achieve something.

Anonymous said...

After election no one will ask anything,when at the time of getting vote they are not in favor of us,then dnt think after that they will do anything,lets go for indefinite strike in this way we can get smthing.

Anonymous said...

Are we not aware of old,retired ,dishonest and leggard UFBU leaders,any body can bet they may not even clinch 15% increase,mass resignation,demand for bank pay commission would be solution.UFBU will further make the cadre to lead a miserable life...