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United Forum of Bank Unions announces 48-hour strike from March 23-25

2025-03-19 | 01:10h

2025-03-19 | 08:36h

mokokchungtimes.com

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), a collective body representing over 8 lakh employees and officers across public sector banks, private sector banks, foreign banks, cooperative banks, and regional rural banks, has called for a nationwide strike from midnight of March 23 to midnight of March 25, 2025. This decision follows unresolved issues affecting both the banking workforce and the quality of service provided to the public.

The UFBU is composed of nine major unions, including the All India Bank Employees Association, All India Bank Officers Confederation, National Confederation of Bank Unions, and others. The forum has raised several demands that they say are crucial for improving banking operations, ensuring job security, and addressing the concerns of employees.

Among the central issues, the unions are calling for adequate recruitment across all bank cadres, with a particular emphasis on regularizing temporary employees. They argue that there has been a persistent shortage of staff in public sector banks over the past decade, significantly hindering customer service and affecting the efficiency of banks, which are responsible for implementing numerous government schemes. According to UFBU, the number of bank staff in public sector banks has decreased from 886,490 in 2013 to 746,679 in 2024, leading to a strained workforce and increasing workload.

The unions are also demanding the implementation of a 5-day workweek in banks, similar to the practice followed by other sectors, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), insurance companies, and various private organizations. Despite Indian banks agreeing to this proposal a year ago, the government has yet to act on it, prompting the unions to take a firm stand on the issue.

Another critical concern for the unions is the recent directives from the Department of Financial Services (DFS) regarding performance reviews and Performance Linked Incentives (PLI), which the UFBU claims threaten job security, create division and discrimination among employees, and undermine the autonomy of public sector banks. The unions are demanding the immediate withdrawal of these directives, which they say violate agreements and policies established through the 8th Joint Note.

In addition, the unions are calling for enhanced safety measures for bank officers and staff, who are increasingly facing assaults and verbal abuse from unruly customers. They are also pushing for the immediate filling of vacant positions, particularly those of Workmen/Officer Directors in public sector banks, which have remained unfilled for over a decade.

Further demands include amendments to the Gratuity Act to raise the ceiling to Rs. 25 lakh, as well as the removal of income tax deductions on staff welfare benefits. The UFBU has also expressed concerns over the government’s ownership of IDBI Bank, calling for the maintenance of at least 51% equity capital in the bank by the government. They are also demanding an end to the micromanagement of public sector banks by DFS, which, according to the unions, undermines bilateralism and affects the service conditions of employees.

The unions are also advocating for an end to the outsourcing of permanent jobs in banks and the cessation of unfair labor practices within the banking sector.

According to the UFBU, this strike is a last resort after numerous failed attempts to resolve these issues through dialogue with the government and management. The unions are urging public support, acknowledging that while the strike may cause inconvenience, it is essential to ensure that these longstanding issues are addressed promptly and effectively.