Nagpur: The Bharat Bandh called against four labour codes partially impacted banks and govt insurance companies. Work continued as usual in most central govt depts, said union sources.The RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) did not take part in the agitation. Even as there was a strike in other govt banks, the State Bank of India employees did not take part. It is because the agitation was led by All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), which does not have a presence in SBI.Eastern Maharashtra Bank Employees Association (EMBEA) chairman, Jaywant Gurwey, said cash movement was stopped in banks, as it is expected that business worth Rs1,800cr was affected. This is over and above the transactions that may have happened successfully through online banking channels.The state govt employees’ unions extended moral support to the unions, but did not participate in the strike, said a union leader. At Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), the loss of work on account of permanent employees going on strike was compensated by contractual workers.A source in the Confederation of Trade Unions said that even as most central govt officials took part in lunch-hour demonstrations, work was affected only in the banks and govt insurance companies. Earlier, the strike used to impact coal production in WCL mines, which largely cater to the power sector. Due to the increasing number of contractual workers, the impact was not seen much, said a union leader. Other govt depts like the accountant general’s office or income tax, also worked normally, said a source.Meanwhile, the bank employees affiliated to AIBEA, All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA), and Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) gathered at Samvidhan Chowk. They were addressed by Gurwey and general secretary Suresh Bobhate.
