5 Days Banking, Recruitment & Other Demands: PNB Officers’ Federation to Observe Two-day Nationwide Strike

The All India Punjab National Bank Officers’ Federation (AIPNBOF), representing thousands of officers of Punjab National Bank (PNB), has declared a two-day strike on 26 and 27 December 2024. The strike aims to address grievances related to work-life balance including the implementation of a 5-days work week, staffing shortages, and policies under the National Pension Scheme (NPS), among others.

(Copy of the strike notice issued by AIPNBOF.)

The AIPNBOF has accused PNB management and relevant authorities of ignoring repeated communications about these issues.

Key Demands

AIPNBOF's demands include the following:

1. Implementation of a five-day banking week for better work-life balance.

2. Recruitment of adequate staff to address manpower shortages.

3. Freedom for employees to choose Pension Fund Managers under the NPS.

4. Payment of medical aid arrears for the period 01 November 2022 to 31 December 2023.

5. Equal treatment of all officer associations in transfers and leave policies.

The federation has also raised strong objections to current work practices, such as long working hours, routine holiday duties, and inadequate recognition of staff efforts. They claim these practices lead to high stress and low morale. Additionally, the union highlights alleged discrimination in the bank's handling of officer transfers and benefits, as well as issues with the evaluation of performance through digital tools like Udaan.

Background and Rationale

The demand for implementing a five-day banking week is rooted in the need for work-life balance among bankers. AIPNBOF highlights that while most financial institutions and government offices operate on a five-day schedule, banking sector officers and employees continue to work six days a week, contributing to undue stress and fatigue. The union has called for immediate action from the Government of India to address this disparity, which has persisted despite earlier agreements.

Staff shortages in bank branches remain another critical issue. According to the union, a reduction in clerical staff has left officers overwhelmed, often forcing them to handle tasks outside their roles, such as cash handling and customer service. This not only affects operational efficiency but also hampers the officers' ability to focus on their primary responsibilities. AIPNBOF has demanded urgent recruitment to ensure adequate manpower across branches.

Under the National Pension Scheme (NPS), the federation seeks the freedom for employees to choose their Pension Fund Managers. They argue that this flexibility, already available to government employees and recently made available in Bank of India, will allow PNB officers to optimise returns and secure their financial future.

The two-day strike is expected to impact banking operations nationwide, with AIPNBOF urging the government and PNB management to address their demands promptly.