Panaji: Banking services in Goa are likely to be affected as bank employees will go on a three-day strike from Sept 28. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) is demanding immediate implementation of a five-day banking week and withdrawal of the Performance-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, UFBU Goa convener Santosh Haldankar said.He said govt and banks had agreed on March 8, 2024, to introduce a five-day banking week, but had not implemented it. The PLI scheme, introduced in 2020, promised employees five days’ additional salary if a bank’s profit rose by 5%, with the bonus capped at 15 days’ salary, the UFBU Goa convener said.Unions said govt and banks later introduced higher bonuses for top management, equivalent to one year’s basic salary.“There is discrimination. The amount paid to 5% of Scale 4 to Scale 7 officials is more than what is paid to 95% of employees, from sweepers to Scale 3 officers. We want the scheme scrapped and a uniform scheme introduced,” Haldankar said.He said unions will launch an indefinite strike from Oct 26 if the Centre does not address their demands.“There is a staff shortage, and employees are working extra. Govt schemes, mutual funds, insurance, loan products, branches and banking services have increased, but the number of employees has gone down,” the convener said.
