Since the end of the eighties the working class worldwide is facing an attack at an extent that was never experienced before.

Labor, social and democratic rights are not just violated but abolished by governments in the name of productivity, competition, and their new alibi justifying their atrocities all over the world, terrorism.

Imperialism is affecting workers in every sector and country. Since the banking capital plays a major powerful role throughout the world, bank employees are right in the center of this attack.

In Greece, privatization of the banking sector has had negative consequences to bank employees’ rights.

It has led to a serious slide of salaries, since salary increases are below inflation. Labor and social security rights are being abolished. Retirement age limits are increasing, and especially for mothers. Bankers’ obligations to social security funds decrease, whereas employees’ obligations increase. Pensions are being reduced.

In fact, the right to stable and full time work no longer exists. Bankers are pressuring for banks to stay open in the afternoon and weekends; extra working hours bring extra profits.

Although the banking sector was the most profitable one in the Greek economy, bank employees haven’t yet reached a Collective Agreement for 2006 (it’s already October) since raises offered are way below the workers’ needs, and they demand in exchange the increase of banking hours.

Dear Comrades,

On behalf of the Greek Working Class we express our solidarity to your Association as well as the Indian working class. We wish every success to your conference and especially to your struggle for the rights of the Bank Employees and all workers in India.