AIGBWO, AIGBOO Launch Nationwide Stir Against RRB IPO, Disparities, and Policy Injustice

In a letter dated July 1, 2025, the unions said the decision was driven by long-standing neglect of crucial staff issues that affect thousands of RRB employees across India.

Black Badge Protest

As part of the phase-wise agitation, members of AIGBWO and AIGBOO participated in the black badge protest across various regions.

Image: AIGBWO and AIGBOO members during black badge protest. 

Key Demands 

The agitation led by AIGBWO and AIGBOO revolves around long-pending issues, including pension disparities, regularisation of temporary workers, non-uniform transfer policies, restoration of the old pension scheme, implementation of a five-day banking week, opposition to the proposed IPO of RRBs, and the demand for establishing a National Rural Bank of India.

Image: Key demands of AIGBWO and AIGBOO

Phase-wise Agitation Timeline Announced

The agitation will be carried out in phases as follows:

• July 1–2: Black badge protest at branches
   
• July 9: Lunch-hour demonstrations and submission of memoranda to the DFS, NABARD, and RRB Chairpersons
   
• July 25: Dharna at RRB headquarters and submission of a memorandum to the Union Finance Minister
   
• August 22: Nationwide one-day strike
  
   

“The organisations urge the Government of India, NABARD, and sponsor banks to immediately initiate meaningful dialogue to address these long-pending demands. If a constructive response is not received, the agitation will intensify in the coming weeks,” said Rahul Kumar Vats and Nishant Sakhi, General Secretaries of AIGBOO and AIGBWO, respectively, in the statement.

With phase-wise protests already underway, AIGBWO and AIGBOO have warned that failure to resolve the core demands—ranging from pension justice to the rollback of IPO plans—will lead to intensified agitation. The ball now rests with the Finance Ministry, NABARD, and sponsor banks to act before the August 22 strike.