Kathmandu. Mental stress is increasing among the employees of banks and financial institutions. Employees’ unions of 7 banks have appealed to Prime Minister Balendra Shah to increase the tension.

The organization has sent letters to 11 agencies including the Prime Minister’s Office through post. Employees unions in the banking sector have expressed serious concern over the increasing work pressure, unsafe work environment, poor implementation of workers’ rights and mental stress on the employees.

Issuing a joint press release following the suicide of an employee of Global IME Bank’s Biratnagar branch, Pitambar Khadka, stated that the increasing mental pressure and unhealthy work culture in the banking sector of late has been adversely affecting personal, family and mental health of the staffers.

“Employees working in banks and financial institutions have faced harassment, threats, personal humiliation and insecurity from various groups even while working in accordance with their responsibilities and prevailing laws,” reads the statement. The organizations say that such activities are creating serious obstacles for employees to work in a safe and respectful environment.

The unions have said that even normal banking procedures are sometimes “illegal” and that there is a growing tendency to create unnecessary legal hassles, social accusations and mental stress against employees. They concluded that the lack of effective protection and intervention from the concerned bodies has increased the insecurity and frustration among the employees.

Stating that the constitution and existing laws have guaranteed the right to safe, respectful and dignified working environment to every worker, the unions have demanded the government, Ministry of Youth and Employment, Nepal Rastra Bank and the bodies concerned to fully implement the labour standards in the banking sector.

Clear management of working hours and overwork, effective counselling system for mental health protection, and strong mechanisms against all forms of workplace abuse have been called for.

The statement also calls for an impartial investigation into Khadka’s incident and necessary action as per the law if any direct or indirect pressure, encouragement, irresponsible behavior or institutional negligence is proven.