AIBOC Slams Standard Chartered Bank for Union-Busting and Unfair Labour Practices

The All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC), India’s largest organisation of bank officers, has strongly condemned Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) for what it calls vindictive, illegal, and anti-union actions. The bank has reportedly terminated multiple union leaders and members of the Association of Standard Chartered Bank Officers (ASCBO) under the pretext of “redundancy.”

According to AIBOC, the move reflects a pattern of selective victimisation. In 2022, Indranil Bhattacharyya, a teller with 17 years of service, was terminated citing redundancy, even as the bank recruited new employees in the same role. More recently, in 2024, Mr Sanjib Dey faced a similar action. The latest terminations in 2025, which include ASCBO President Tilottoma Roy, General Secretary Satyajeet Tripathy, and other union members, are seen as an escalation of this trend.

Alleged Violation of Labour Laws
AIBOC asserts that the bank’s actions are not only illegal and mala fide but also in violation of Section 33 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, which prohibits punitive measures against employees during adjudication without Tribunal approval. The Confederation accuses SCB of displaying “utter contempt of judicial authority” by disregarding this safeguard.

Furthermore, the terminations were carried out with immediate effect, and dues were settled forcibly, without dialogue or due process. AIBOC argues that such measures aim to silence officers who raise their voices against discrimination, harassment, and exploitative practices.

Broader Implications for Trade Unions
AIBOC frames this as not merely an attack on ASCBO but a direct challenge to the wider trade union movement in private and foreign banks. “If such draconian measures are left unchecked, they will embolden multinational corporations to trample upon the hard-won rights of Indian workers,” the statement warns.

The Confederation demands:

In addition, AIBOC alleges that SCB has attempted to suppress dissent by suspending ASCBO’s official social media handles.

AIBOC’s Stand
Rupam Roy, General Secretary of AIBOC, reaffirmed solidarity with ASCBO, stating:
“Unity is our strength, and injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. These measures will be resisted with the full might of the organised banking fraternity.”
Representing over 325,000 officers across PSBs, RRBs, and private banks, AIBOC has vowed to fight what it calls a dangerous precedent in the Indian banking industry.