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AIRRBEA Unions in Sarva Haryana Gramin Bank Protest Over Management’s Disregard for Employees Demands
All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association affiliated unions in Sarva Haryana Gramin Bank launched an agitation against management’s failure to address long-pending demands. With protests intensifying, employees warn of a full-fledged strike if issues remain unresolved.
Author: Saurav Kumar
Published: February 18, 2025
The Sarva Haryana Gramin Bank Officers’ Association (SHGBOA) and Sarva Haryana Gramin Bank Employees Union (SHGBEA), affiliated with AIRRBEA, launched their agitation against the bank management’s continued disregard for long-pending demands. The protest began at the bank’s head office in Rohtak on February 18, 2024, marking the start of their agitation program.
The protest saw a strong turnout of 1,400 participants, with AIRRBEA central leaders as the chief speakers. Notable figures, including Banwari Lal and Parwinder Singh, addressed the gathering, expressing solidarity and questioning the prolonged delay by the bank management.
Parvinder Singh, Vice President of the National Federation of RRB Employees (NFRRBE), voiced his concerns during the protest. Speaking to Kanal, he stated, “Employees of Sarva Haryana Gramin Bank are working in dire conditions, with daily wagers receiving inadequate wages, despite the demand for a minimum payment of ₹1,100 per day. Additionally, the non-implementation of allowances under the 12th BPS reflects the management’s sheer indifference. We strongly urge the immediate resolution of these long-pending issues, which are severely impacting employee morale.”
The unions accused the management of ignoring formal communications, backtracking on commitments made during reconciliation meetings, and failing to address critical staff welfare issues.
Allegations of Harassment and Unresolved Issues
In a letter dated February 15, 2025, the unions expressed their frustration, stating:
“What makes this even more appalling is that your management initially agreed to almost all our demands, only to backtrack later without any justification, for reasons known only to you. This blatant betrayal of trust is completely unacceptable.”
The unions further asserted that despite repeated efforts through reconciliation meetings on February 13 and 14, no concrete action was taken, leaving them with no choice but to resume the agitation.
20-Point Charter of Demands
The SHGBOA and SHGBEA have placed a set of non-negotiable demands before the bank management, all of which remain unimplemented:
- Immediate withdrawal of illegal charge sheets issued against union representatives.
- Removal of the Regional Manager, Bhiwani.
- Repatriation of the GM, HRDD, and disciplinary action against him.
- Bank to bear TDS on perquisites in line with industry standards.
- Increase in daily wages of temporary workers from ₹500 to ₹1,100.
- Promotion date to be changed to April 1.
- End staff harassment over routine operational lapses.
- Release of furniture, leased accommodation, and petrol allowances.
- Payment of PLI for FY 2021-22.
- Allocation of office space for unions at Head Office.
- Increase in NPS contribution from 10% to 14%.
- Implementation of Customer Service Allowance.
- Review of probation period extensions for officers.
- Reduction in staff loan interest rates.
- Revision of the Transfer Policy with union consultation.
- Compensation scheme for employees killed in service.
- Provision of arrear calculation sheets.
- Yearly PF statement issuance.
- Disclosure of discontinued staff benefit schemes and reasons for discontinuation.
- Any additional issues permitted by the chair.
Agitation Plan and Strike Warning
The unions have already carried out their initial phases of agitation, including the work-to-rule and campaign boycott on February 15, followed by a mass dharna at the Head Office on February 18. The next phase of protests is scheduled as follows:
- February 21 – One-day hunger strike
- March 3-5 – Chain hunger strike
- March 10 – Full-fledged strike
The unions have held the bank’s management responsible for the agitation, warning that they will not relent until their demands are met. With tensions escalating, all eyes are now on Sarva Haryana Gramin Bank management to respond to the employees’ grievances.