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'Mission Swabhiman': Union Bank Officers Campaign Against After-hours Work
Union Bank Officers are spearheading 'Mission Swabhiman' to reclaim work-life balance, combatting after-hours work culture.
Author: Abhivad
Published: February 20, 2024
The All India Union Bank Officers' Federation (AIUBOF), affiliated with AIBOC, has launched a campaign titled ‘Mission Swabhiman’ to address the escalating issue of after-hours work plaguing banking professionals across the nation. In a bid to reclaim their work-life balance and combat mounting stress, the campaign advocates for a firm stance against excessive work demands.
(One of the online posters from the ‘Mission Swabhiman’ campaign, circulated via WhatsApp.)
Under the banner of ‘Mission Swabhiman,’ bank officers are urged to adhere to a strict schedule, leaving the office premises at 5:45 pm and refusing to succumb to additional work hours beyond the functioning time. Additionally, they are encouraged to withdraw from WhatsApp groups used for official communication regarding late-night meetings and targets, effectively drawing a line against intrusive work demands encroaching into personal time. Moreover, the campaign advocates for the rejection of work assignments on holidays, emphasising the importance of rest and leisure in maintaining overall well-being.
(Poster urging bankers to leave WhatsApp groups.)
Kanal tried to get comments from the office bearers of AIUBOF. But, we could not yield a response yet. (Comments will be added here as they respond.)
The initiative stems from a collective frustration among bankers who find themselves grappling with prolonged working hours, incessant target pressures, and the intrusion of late-night meetings, both online and offline, into their personal lives. In addition, the PSBs are also struggling to tackle staff shortage. The dire consequences of such relentless work pressure in Union Bank were highlighted by the recent suicide of an officer in Junagarh region of Gujarat.
Similar instances have been reported in other public sector banks like Bank of Baroda and State Bank of India, underscoring the systemic issue across the banking sector. Though the actual reason is yet to be revealed, a young UCO bank officer took his own life in Chennai on 19 February 2024.
Negotiation Meeting with the Management
Following the ‘Swabhiman campaign’, a negotiation talk has been initiated by the Union Bank management with the representatives of AIUBOF.
(More details from the ongoing(as of 8 pm, 20 February) negotiation meeting will be updated here as we get comments from the representatives attending.)