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AIBEA Announces Agitation Plan to Address Long-standing Banking Issues
AIBEA announces a nationwide agitation plan demanding 5-day workweek, adequate recruitment, and employee protection. This follows AIBOC's February strike, signaling significant disruptions in banking services.
Author: Abhivad
Published: January 17, 2025
In a major announcement, the All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA), the largest union representing workmen in the banking sector, has called for an agitation plan to address several pressing demands. The move follows the All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC) announcing a two-day nationwide strike on 24 and 25 February 2025, which is expected to disrupt banking services for four consecutive days due to the preceding weekend.
(AIBEA General Secretary’s post on platform X announcing the agitation plan.)
Demands Raised by AIBEA
The AIBEA's decision comes after its office bearers' meeting held on 15 January 2025 in Kolkata. Key demands raised include:
- Implementation of a 5-day workweek.
- Adequate recruitment in clerical and sub-staff cadres to address the acute manpower shortage.
- Stopping outsourcing of regular and perennial jobs.
- Protection of bank employees from increasing customer abuse and assaults.
- Filling up of Workman and Officer Director posts in Public Sector Banks (PSBs).
- Resolving residual issues and extending the Old Pension Scheme to all employees covered by the National Pension System (NPS).
- Amending the Gratuity Act to raise the ceiling to ₹25 lakh for bank employees, with income tax exemptions.
Reduction in PSB Staff
The circular also narrates the reduction of staff in PSBs between 2013 and 2024. In this period, PSBs saw a drastic reduction in their workforce. The number of clerks decreased by 1,51,836, from 3,98,801 in 2013 to 2,46,965 in 2024. Similarly, sub-staff numbers dropped by 59,280, from 1,53,628 to 94,348 during the same period. Despite a significant rise in business volume, profits, and the opening of new branches, the staff strength has sharply declined, leading to mounting workloads on existing employees. This alarming trend has become a key concern for unions like AIBEA, which are demanding immediate and adequate recruitment to address the acute manpower shortage in PSBs.
Background and Coordination
According to the official circular issued by AIBEA, the agitation plan aims to address issues that have seen little progress despite repeated discussions with the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) and other stakeholders. The decision also aligns with the recent discussions at the Mumbai Conference and the Union’s past demands during the 12th Bipartite Settlement talks.
AIBEA’s agitation plan will be finalised in consultation with other unions under the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) to ensure joint action. The association has also urged its members to organise meetings at all levels to communicate the importance of their demands.
Implications for Banking Services
With AIBOC’s strike already scheduled for late February and AIBEA’s upcoming action, banking operations are likely to face significant disruptions in the coming month. AIBEA’s call for unity and a comprehensive action programme reflects the growing frustration among bank employees over unresolved issues impacting the sector.
As both workmen and officers unite to address critical concerns, the banking sector braces for a series of agitation programmes. Customers are advised to plan their banking transactions in advance to mitigate inconvenience during the strike periods.