950820

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The unionised staff of United Bank Limited went on strike on Sunday to press the management to pay Rs.15,000 per employee - from Khyber to Karachi - as flood relief loan.

The union leaders have been demanding that as the National Bank of Pakistan and Habib Bank Limited have announced an interest-free loan of Rs.15,000 for all non-officers throughout the country, UBL must do the same.

Negotiations between the management and the union leaders on the issue were conducted last week where the UBL bosses pleaded that unlike the other two NCBs UBL was not in a position to pay Rs.300 million to its 20,000 unionised staff. In return an offer was made that instead of Rs.15,000 per employee, UBL would consider giving Rs.10,000 per person to all cadres below Grade-I, and Rs.12,000 per person in Grade-I, provided the employees agreed to adjust the flood relief loans taken in 1992, 1993, 1994 and other advances amounting to Rs.120 million.

The employees reportedly agreed to the adjustment of old outstandings but refused to agree to a figure of Rs.15,000 per employee.

The management in return offered to give the flood relief loan as per demand only in the flood effected areas.

As no agreement was reached by last Thursday, the unionised staff walked out of the various offices and branches leaving the officers to take care of the customers.