Indians in Oman hit by bank strike

MUSCAT: The two-day strike by bank employees in India, which began Monday, has affected the expatriate Indians in Oman.

"I had to send money for an emergency back home. But as Indian banking officials are on a strike, the money exchange officials here said the transaction would not happen till the strike ends," the Times Of Oman quoted an Indian expatriate as saying.

He said he told his family members to look out for some other options to meet the emergency.

"The strike has upset my plans," the expatriate added.

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella trade union of 47 banks, called a two-day strike opposing the proposed banking sector reforms and demanding immediate wage revision.

Over a million bank employees and officers working in 27 public sector banks, including the State Bank of India, 12 private and eight foreign banks and regional rural banks struck work, UFBU said.

UFBU is also the umbrella organisation of five employee unions and four officer unions of state-run banks.

All nine unions under its aegis gave the strike call.

"As most of the transactions are conducted through India's National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) system, which is dormant due to the strike, the customers will have to wait till the strike ends," a top official from Global Money Exchange in Oman said.

"Even withdrawal of money sent from here to India through ATMs will not be possible due to the strike," the official added.