Bank employees observed the strike under the banner of the United Forum of Bank Unions, demanding implementation of a five-day working week, withdrawal of performance-linked incentive (PLI) scheme and fulfillment of their pending demands.
There are over 200 public sector bank branches in Thoothukudi district, employing around 1,600 personnel. As the employees participated in the strike, banking operations were severely affected across the district. Except for a few private sector banks, most bank branches remained closed in the district.
As a result, banking transactions worth several crores were affected in the district on Friday alone. With the banks remaining closed from Friday to Monday, due to strike and subsequent holidays, transactions worth several crores of rupees are likely to be affected over the four-day period.
Meanwhile, bank employees also staged a demonstration in front of the Canara Bank on Beach Road in Thoothukudi, pressing for their demands.