We present here a recent circular that we have received from UBFU around their meeting with IBA & their internal meeting.

1. DISCUSSIONS WITH IBA:

In response to our letter to the IBA seeking discussions on follow-up actions on some of the issues raised by us, IBA had fixed up a meeting with UFBU on 13th April, 2016 and accordingly the meeting was held in IBA's Office as scheduled. UFBU was represented by representatives of all the 9 constituents.

a) Difficulties faced by employees/officers in implementation of Medical Insurance Scheme:

We pointed out the following:

1. While the Scheme covers reimbursement of Rs. 3 lacs and Rs. 4 Lacs for clerks/substaff and officers respectively plus additional coverage from Corporate Buffer, some of the managements are maintaining that the coverage is only restricted upto Rs. 3 lacs and R. 4 lacs. The correct position should be suitably clarified to all the Banks and in turn by all Banks to the employees at large.

2. An important advantage of the Scheme is the Cashless facility available for treatment in hospitals. But instances are coming to our attention that in many centres, many hospitals are not covered by tie-up and hence employees are asked to pay for the treatment and then seek reimbursement. IBA and Banks should take up with the TPAs to ensure that maximum hospitals are covered by tie-up so that employees are not put to difficulties to avail cashless treatment facility.
3. The Settlement and the Scheme clearly provide that employees would submit the Bills to the Banks as in the past and the Bank should submit the Bills to the TPA to get the reimbursement. But some of the managements are asking the employees to submit the Bills directly to the TPA. This should be stopped and suitable instructions should be given.
4. There are instances of death occurring during treatment in hospital and if it happens to be Sunday or holiday, the hospital/TPA do not come to the rescue and the family is facing problems in getting the body of the patient in time. Such things should not be allowed to happen.
5. Instances have also come to our attention where certain treatments like Dialysis, etc. are disallowed by the TPA though covered by the Scheme and the employees are forced to pay the cost to the hospital. Hence our scheme should be properly implemented by the TPAs and employees should not be put into such hardship.
6. In the case of Bills submitted to the Banks for domiciliary treatment, there are many complaints of undue delay by the TPAs and managements are not taking steps to liaise with them to expedite the claims. Special attention is required in this regard and necessary steps are to be taken.
7. Though Corporate Buffer facility is available for claims over Rs. 3 lacs/Rs. 4 lacs, many Banks are yet to issue guidelines for utilisation/claims under the buffer limit. This defeats the very purpose of the facility. IBA should advice all the Banks to issue proper instructions on utilisation of the corporate buffer amount.
8. SCHEME FOR RETIREES TO COVER DOMICILIARY TREATMENT : Though the Settlement and the Scheme provides for reimbursement of domiciliary treatment for the retirees, this has been denied by UIIC in violation of the scheme and IBA should ensure its implementation. Otherwise UFBU will be constrained to agitate on this issue.

IBA informed that in view of the Government guidelines, they would take up this issue, after the Balance Sheets of the Banks for the year ended 31-3-2016 are finalised.

IBA informed that in view of the Government guidelines, they would take up this issue, after the Balance Sheets of the Banks for the year ended 31-3-2016 are finalised.

1. Revision in rate and quantum of Family Pension: IBA reiterated their standpoint that they are positively inclined to consider this demand by revising the rates and quantum of Family Pension. IBA, however, pointed out that unless the exact additional outgo is worked out and additional corpus required for the same is ascertained based on actuarial calculations, it would not be possible for them to commit anything at this stage. It was further informed by them that the details have been called for from the Banks for this purpose. We asked IBA to expedite the collection of the details so that the actuarial calculation exercise can be undertaken and expedited to take this issue forward.
2. Periodical updation of Pension : We took up the demand of periodical updation/revision of pension along with every wage revision settlement. IBA informed that this was a major issue and huge additional corpus fund has to be provided for meeting this demand which is not feasible in the present circumstances when the financial condition of the Banks are not good. We insisted that this issue cannot be left like this and a way has to be found out to resolve the matter amicably. We suggested that pending the exercise of ascertaining the cost, some adhoc increase in existing pension of the retirees can be considered and requested IBA to examine the same. IBA replied that any revision in pension amount would have cost implications and hence cannot react on our suggestion without proper working out.
3. Uniform DA formula for Pre-Nov. 2002 Retirees: To this demand, IBA informed us that firstly, the issue is subjudice to be discussed as court cases are involved in the mater and secondly, the cost impact is to be worked out and if at all any consideration can be given, it can only be on a prospective basis.

2. UFBU INTERNAL MEEETING:

INCREASING ATTACKS ON PUBLIC SECTOR BANKING:

The meeting took a review of the developments taking place in the banking sector on account of the various policy decisions of the Government like appointment of Banks Board Bureau, appointment of private sector Executives to head PSBs, proposals of consolidation and mergers, reduction in Government's capital in PSBs, selective capitalisation of Banks, encouragement to private sector banking, allowing Small Banks and Payments to private corporates, privatisatioin of IDBI Bank, increasing bad loans in the Banks and concessions being given to defaulters, huge provisions towards NPAs and showing PSBs in poor light, privatisation of RRBs, etc. The meeting unanimously felt that these are anti-public sector banking measures to suit their agenda of privatisation of Banks and hence will have to be resisted and fought back. It was decided that agitational programmes are to be undertaken to campaign amongst the people and to convey our opposition to these moves.

To begin with, it has been decided that the ensuing May Day on 1st May, 2016 should be observed as Anti-Bank Privatisation Day through posters, meetings, rallies, processions, etc. under the common banner of UFBU at all centres. It was also decided to address a letter to the Finance Minister drawing his attention to our viewpoints on these measures and urging upon him not to proceed with the same. Further programmes including strike actions will be decided in due course.

In the recent Trade Union Convention held on 30th March, 2016 by the Central Trade Unions, the call has been given to observe National General Strike on 2nd September, 2016 against the continued anti-labour policies of the Central Government and their proposals of anti-worker labour reforms. The meeting took note of this strike call. It was decided to discuss the matter further in the next meeting of the UFBU.

It has been decided to hold the next meeting of the UFBU at Hyderabad on 11th May, 2016 to chalk out further agitational programmes.

--------------------------------------------------

There are 4 aspects to this circular, and we can try to dissect it accordingly:

1. MEDICAL INSURANCE - Its good to see that there has been some kind of concerns raised by UBFU on the medical insurance scheme. ABS would invite suggestions from our readers through the comments on providing more insight into what are the hardships faced by the bankers ( both serving & retired).
2. WAGE REVISION - The fact that RBI has given a deadline of late 2017 for finalizing the 11th Wage Revision doesn't seem to have instilled the urgency that was required to get going on this. It is laughable that such an important issue had 1 line in the whole circular. What do our readers think about this ?
3. PENSION ISSUES - A lot of chatter, but no real substance. Every statement just talks about the challenges with IBA around additional funds required etc. etc. We at ABS want to take this issue with full vigour, and would request all our readers to provide their articles & insights into this issue, as it doesn't seem to be getting anywhere, and would surely be swept under the carpet, if we don't raise our voice.
4. UFBU INTERNAL MEETING - We found this text from an article in 2014 by Mr. Rajesh Goyal, which is really spot on related to this "Coming to privatization of banks. It is an emotive issue for Aam Banker. Over the years, rather decades, we have been bombarded with circulars by unions that privatization will be a disaster for bank employees. Thus, Aam Banker has lost the power to think independently on this issue. Certainly, privatization will affect the job security aspect as private banks will not tolerate non sense strikes and free enjoyment for union leaders and sycophants. In the changed scenario where youngsters are much more comfortable in private jobs then what we used to be about two to three decades ago. Let me admit that a few years ago, when my children decided to join private sector, I too was apprehensive about the working conditions. However, I have found that they have much more regulated working hours, flexible hours of working and two week end holidays. However, when on job, they have to perform but need not be sycophant. Thus, par se, privatization need not be bad. With limited resources at the hands of government, let bank employees give a free hand to government to bring changes in the sector which is on the verge of collapse. Aam Banker is PS banks has always been complaining about pressure due to financial inclusion, priority sector loans and government business, which they have to do as they are treated as government banks. However, they are not at par with government employees as far as salary structure is concerned. This duplicity will end if banks are privatized. Remember that it is not an easy task for government to privatize the banks. Thus, I am of firm view that let things take their own shape rather than opposing these without discussing the pros and cons of such a change."

Disclaimer: [The articles written by author contains only the academic view of the writer and purely for discussions and updation of the knowledge of the bankers. The views expressed in the articles may not at all be subscribed by the organisation where the author is working and / or AllBankingSolutions.com]