AIRRBEA Extends Support to General Strike, Backing Central Trade Union Demands
AIRRBEA backs May 20 General Strike, joining trade unions to demand wage hikes, pension reforms, and labour rights protections.
Author: Saurav Kumar
Published: May 2, 2025
The All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association (AIRRBEA), along with its affiliates—the National Federation of RRB Employees (NFRRBE) and the National Federation of RRB Officers (NFRRBO)—has issued a formal notice to the Department of Financial Services (DFS), confirming its participation in the nationwide General Strike set for May 20, 2025.
In a letter submitted by AIRRBEA on April 30, 2025, it mentioned that this nationwide call to action stems from a joint resolution passed by central trade unions and sectoral federations at a national convention held in New Delhi on March 18, 2025. The strike seeks to amplify a 17-point charter of demands focused on safeguarding workers’ rights, ensuring social protection, and halting anti-people economic policies.
Key Demands Behind the May 20 Strike
As per the letter submitted by AIRRBEA on April 30, 2025, the strike will support the following demands:
- Scrap the four labour codes
- Ensure a minimum wage of ₹26,000 per month
- End contractualisation and fixed-term employment
- Ensure Minimum Pension of Rs. 9000 per month and social security to all categories of workers.
- Scrap National Pension Scheme (NPS) and restore Old Pension Scheme (OPS)
- Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days from submission of application
- Stop privatization of Public Sector Enterprises, Government Departments. Scrap National Monetization Pipeline (NMP).
- Legally guarantee MSP at C2+50% as recommended by Swaminathan Commission and implement loan waivers for farmers
- Right to work is made fundamental.
United Voice from RRB Employees
AIRRBEA Secretary General S Venkateswar Reddy, NFRRBE General Secretary Samiran Medhi, and NFRRBO General Secretary Kirthiraj Hidkal jointly endorsed the strike notice issued under Section 22(1) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The notice has been circulated to NABARD, sponsor banks, and all RRB managements.
AIRRBEA is supporting the general strike because many of the demands directly impact rural workers and customers of Regional Rural Banks. The notice signals growing unrest among financial sector employees and underscores a call for balanced reforms that centre people.
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