900 bank staffers Covid infected in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: Nearly 900 bank employees across Gujarat have tested positive for Covid-19 during the third wave according to estimates by Maha Gujarat Bank Employees’ Association (MGBEA). This has forced many bank branches to shut operations for up to five days.
In the wake of repeated branch closures amidst the third wave and hampering of banking operations, MGBEA has urged the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC)-Gujarat to reduce banking hours from 10am to 1pm.A representation was made before MM Bansal, convener, SLBC-Gujarat on Friday.
Isolated branches which were shut include those of Federal Bank, Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, UCO Bank, Union Bank and Central Bank among others.
Janak Rawal, general secretary, MGBEA, said, “At least 900 bank employees have been affected by Covid-19. In bank branches where more people tend to test positive, branches are compelled to shut for two to five days and after due protocol-compliance and sanitization, the premises are reopened. This also affects the banking operations.”
Bankers have requested that banks be limited to fiveday week operations till the Covid-19 cases recede. “We have made a representation before SLBC, asking them to limit the services to reduce crowding at bank branches. Employees should be allowed to go home after business hours. The purpose is to reduce the exposure of the staff to the public,” said Rawal.
The representation also mentions that the banks should be advised to work with reduced staff strength which will be helpful to the employees and the bank in implementing business continuity plan.
“We request you to advise banks to close the branch for 48 hours if any employee is found to be infected. Pregnant women employees and those with disabilities must be exempted from attending bank duty in the wake of the rapid spike in cases of coronavirus infections,” it mentions.