Nearly 400 union members and officials from various bank unions across India convened in Chennai on June 20 for a national seminar. The event, titled “Global Cooperation Among Trade Unions to Influence AI in Protecting Workers’ Rights,” was organized by the National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE) alongside UNI Global Union affiliates from banks such as State Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Bank of Baroda, and DBS India Bank.
Keynote speakers included UNI Global Union General Secretary Christy Hoffman and UNI Asia & Pacific Regional Secretary Rajendra Acharya. They highlighted the importance of trade union involvement in shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) within the financial sector. Both emphasized that technology should be introduced in ways that protect workers’ rights and ensure fair outcomes.
Union leaders shared experiences and insights on AI’s impact on banking. Discussions addressed challenges related to job roles, data use, algorithmic management, and upskilling. Contributions came from leaders like L. Chandrasekhar, General Secretary of AISBISF and NCBE; R. Balaji, President of NCBE and General Secretary of AIOBEU; Milind Nadkarni, General Secretary of AIBOBEF and President of UNI ILC; and Bhaskar, General Secretary of DBS India Bank Employees Union.
This seminar is part of UNI Global Union’s campaign to equip unions with tools to face digitalization effectively while ensuring technological changes support workers’ rights.
