BOB Officers' Protest Continues Amid Management Silence; Personal Stories Indicate Inhumane Approach in New Transfer Policy

Bank of Baroda officers continue to express their distress over the recent inter-zone transfer orders, five days after their initial black badge protest. Despite the significant participation in the protest organized by the All India Bank of Baroda Officers Association (AIBOBOA), the management has yet to respond positively to the officers' concerns, prompting further agitation and threats of a work boycott.

(Officers of Bank of Baroda on agitation. Source: AIBOBOA official website.)

Nationwide Protests

The inter-zone transfer order has affected over 4,000 BOB officers, sparking protests across the country. On 12 June, 2024, officers from various branches participated in the black badge protest. The agitation saw significant participation, particularly from the state of Rajasthan, where all 800 branches took part. Protests continued on the following days reflecting the officers' growing discontent.

In Rajasthan, 300 officers received transfer orders to remote states, creating difficulties in managing their professional and personal responsibilities. Officers have expressed concerns about being separated from their families and the challenge of fulfilling their duties while being stationed far from home.

Personal Stories Highlight Hardships

Kanal came across the cases of two BOB officers from Rajasthan who were transferred to Uttar Pradesh. One officer has a critically ill mother who requires assistance with basic needs such as eating. Transferred to a location nearly 1,000 kilometres away, he is caught in a dilemma: he cannot relocate his mother due to her health, nor can he leave her behind. Despite appealing on humanitarian grounds, his request has been ignored by the bank's management. 

Another officer transferred over 1,100 kilometers away, supports three dependent family members, all suffering from a hereditary medical condition. His mother, sister, and her child rely on his care, and his sister, a single mother, cannot manage alone. Sharing his worries with Kanal, one of the officers expressed that a transfer to a nearby zone or even to Delhi would have been manageable, but the distant transfers disregard their family circumstances.
(Officers of Bank of Baroda on agitation. Source: AIBOBOA official website.)

AIBOBOA's Response

AIBOBOA has congratulated the officers on their show of solidarity. However, the bank's management has yet to respond positively to their demands. The association has threatened to escalate the protests, including a possible work boycott if the management does not reconsider and withdraw the distant transfers. This escalation could disrupt the bank's daily operations, potentially affecting business transactions worth crores and inconveniencing customers.

Violations of Agreements

The protesting officers argue that the management's arbitrary transfer decisions violate the industrial agreement with the recognised officers' organization and the Trade Union Act. They claim that the bank did not adhere to the agreed-upon policy provisions regarding transfers, leading to unnecessary hardship for many officers. 

Officers are particularly concerned about the impact of these transfers on their families. Many have responsibilities towards spouses, elderly parents, siblings, and children, making it impractical to move thousands of kilometers away from their support systems. The officers argue that such distant transfers are not feasible and disrupt their personal lives significantly.

(Officers of Bank of Baroda on agitation. Source: AIBOBOA official website.)

Conciliation Talk on 19 June

Even after multiple representations and the black badge protest, the bank management remains reluctant to resolve the grievances. Therefore, the bankers have approached the Chief Labour Commissioner, under whose invitation both parties are attending a conciliation talk in Delhi on 19 June 2024.  

With AIBOBOA threatening to intensify the agitation, the situation in Bank of Baroda remains tense. The bank's management faces increasing pressure to address the officers' concerns and reconsider the transfer policy to prevent further disruption to its operations. All eyes are on the conciliation talk on behalf of the Chief Labour Commissioner, expecting a favourable outcome.