KALEEM GEELANI

SRINAGAR: Bank employees on Monday urged its administration to provide them with sanitisers and masks, saying they have to deal with public on daily basis. The appeal comes in wake of coronavirus pandemic across the world and WHO has asked people to take preventive measures and avoid unnecessary travel and large gatherings. J&K Bank employees working at far lung branches of the bank told Kashmir Reader that they are under potential threat due to the huge influx of customers visiting their branches on daily basis. J&K bank employee form Srinagar branch said, “We have to deal with a large number of customers daily. It can pose a threat to our health in wake of virus pandemic. At least we should be provided with sanitisers and masks as we have to deal with money which comes from outside.” Another bank employee posted at a branch in south Kashmir told Kashmir Reader that they have not been provided with preventive kits. “I have kept a good stock of sanitisers at my home as I have to deal with money on daily basis. One sanitiser is consumed each day, and I have to frequently use it after every 15 minutes after dealing with cash. At least cashiers should be given sanitisers. How much can we do at our own,” said an employee of J&K bank based in south Kashmir. An employee at HDFC Bank said that they bring sanitisers on their own expense. J&K Bank branch head in south Kashmir said that they have ordered masks and sanitisers for their staff, “but due to their unavailability in the market, they were unable to provide their staff with such necessary kits”. Another branch head of J&K Bank said, “I understand the risk employees face. We are already in the process to minimise the risks. I have talked with the employees that they will be provided with sanitisers and masks soon till they get available in the market.” Meanwhile, Shakeel Qureshi, J&K SSI Corporate Branch head M.A Road told Kashmir Reader that bank is ensuring that every employee should be given sanitisers and masks. “Health of employees is our priority. If anyone is showing symptoms, they are asked to stay a home,” he said, adding, “It is the responsibility of branch heads to take care of their employees.” He appealed that unnecessary visits to bank branches should be avoided. When Kashmir Reader tried to contact higher authorities of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, they didn’t answer our questions on this issue or were clueless.

Reader correspondent