Once again, the Indian bank employees have approached the Centre, demanding free COVID-19 vaccine jabs being the part of frontline workers.
Request Of Covid-19 Vaccination For Bank Employees
In the same regard, the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), has written a letter to the central government this time.
Saying that the bank employees should be administered the two COVID-19 vaccine doses free of cost and without age restrictions.
Further, the Finance Ministry has asked for urgent Covid-19 vaccination for employees of all banks and the National Payments Corporation of India, irrespective of their age.
Prioritizing Bank Employees
The Department of Financial Services in the Finance Ministry has asked the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in a letter to provide the Covid-19 vaccination for bank and NPCI employees on a priority basis.
Since “they are on the frontline and deal with customers and critical infrastructure for a seamless banking and payment system”.
Being the backbone of the financial system in India, the bank employees have worked throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown period.
Treated As Frontline Workers
In addition to that, the bank unions have been requesting that bank staff should be considered as frontline workers and should be vaccinated as soon as possible.
The concerned letter comes following the second wave of the pandemic and concerns over mutant strains.
As of December 31, 2020, there have been 600 deaths due to Covid-19 in the banking industry according to the Data with the Indian Banks’ Association.
Currently, the banking sector in the country has over 13.5 lakh workers.
The DFS said, “Bank employees have played a critical role over the past year in ensuring that bank branches remain open and functional, and are providing the complete suite of banking services to their customers,” in its letter.
On the other hand, the NPCI staff also have played a critical role during this time.
On this matter, the DFS has also received representations from the IBA, HDFC Bank and NPCI.
While the whole nation is fighting against the pandemic, currently, the Covid-19 vaccination is available in the country for the age group above 45 years only.
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