‘75,000 Regional Rural Bank Employees Participated in Nationwide Strike Over Unmet Demands’

Employees and pensioners of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) across India initiated a nationwide strike on February 23, 2024, under the banner of the All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association (AIRRBEA). The strike was prompted by long standing grievances, including the formation of a National Rural Bank of India (NRBI) and the filling of 30,000 vacant positions.

Strike Across India

The All India strike of the RRB reflected in various regions with bank branches remaining non-functional for the day. 

“A significant portion of the RRB workforce, totaling nearly 75,000 individuals, participated in the strike, resulting in the closure of 39 out of 43 RRBs and affecting over 75% of bank branches nationwide.” said the AIRRBEA office bearers to Kanal.

Image: Jharkhand Rajya Grameen Bank on Strike

Image Source: AIRRBEA 

One employee from Jharkhand Rajya Grameen Bank emphasised the widespread impact of the strike, stating, “Branches across the state remained non-functional due to the nationwide call addressing crucial pending demands of RRBs. This should send a message to the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and Ministry of Finance to take necessary action.”

Similarly, Utkal Grameen Bank in Odisha saw a complete strike across 17 districts, with an employee affirming, “The strike’s success underscores the importance of addressing pending demands crucial for the future of RRBs.”

Image: Utkal Grameen Bank Employees on Strike

Image Source: AIRRBEA

 One of the most successful agitations as per AIRRBEA was in Kerala. Kerala Gramin Bank Employees Union and Kerala Gramin Bank Officers Union (both affiliated to AIRRBEA) launched a 60 hour long day-night protest at the Kerala Gramin Bank headquarters in Malappuram. The sit-in protest commenced on February 21 and concluded with the national strike on February 23.

Image: Mizoram Rural Bank

Image Source: AIRRBEA

In Mizoram, employees of Mizoram Rural Bank also joined the strike in large numbers, adding to the nationwide momentum.

In Tamil Nadu, the strike saw success as nearly 450 branches remained non-operational. Some opened with limited functionality, but overall impact persisted.

Despite facing numerous challenges, RRBs demonstrated remarkable success in FY 2022-23.

Solidarity to RRB Strike 

The All India strike of the RRB garnered support from various bank trade unions, including the All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA), Bank Employees’ Federation of India (BEFI), as well as labour unions such as the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC). 

Additionally, unions from the All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA, the LIC Union), Postal union, and the Insurance sector extended their moral support to the agitation.

AIRRBEA General Secretary Venkatshwara Reddy informed Kanal, “The nationwide strike was highly successful, except for a few RRBs, with enthusiastic participation from our members. AIRRBEA representatives met with Kartikeya Misra, Director of the DFS, and other officials in Delhi regarding our pending issues. We urged for early approvals to address the staff's resentment."

He continued, “Despite efforts from government officials to postpone the February 23 strike, our firm denial led to the scheduling of a conciliation meeting on March 6, 2024.”