Assam Gramin Vikash Bank Employees Announce Agitation Over Unmet Demands

The Assam Gramin Vikash Bank (AGVB) is set to witness protests in the upcoming weeks. The coordination committee of the Assam Gramin Vikash Bank Officers' Association (AGVBOA) and the Assam Gramin Vikash Bank Employees' Association (AGVBEA) have announced an agitational program over several long-pending issues that remain unresolved despite repeated requests to the bank's management. The Assam Gramin Vikash Bank Retired Staff Association has also extended their full support to the agitation called by the officers and employees' associations.

In a letter dated June 1, 2024, addressed to the Chairman of Assam Gramin Vikash Bank, the associations expressed severe concern over the management’s lack of positive response towards their demands. The letter highlighted that the management has taken an illogical and arbitrary stand that adversely affects both existing and retired staff. This includes attempts to dilute the directives of the Government of India (GoI), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Department of Financial Services (DFS), and provisions of the bipartite settlement and joint note, which were achieved after prolonged struggles.

Image: Letter of the Coordination committee of AGVB Employees’ and Officers’ Association

Unmet Demands

The associations have repeatedly appealed for the settlement of issues, such as Performance Linked Incentives (PLI), through a letter dated May 14, 2024. Despite these appeals, no positive developments have been forthcoming. Consequently, the employees and officers feel compelled to initiate an agitation program to press for their demands.

Key Demands Include:

1. Payment of Profit Linked Incentive for the Year 2023-24: The employees are demanding the release of profit-linked incentives that have been pending for the last fiscal year.
2. Proper Implementation of the Scheme for Compassionate Appointment: They call for the immediate disposal of all pending applications for compassionate appointments according to the government-approved scheme, and the withdrawal of a modified circular on compassionate appointments which deviates from NABARD’s order.
3. Stop Further Merger of Bank's Branches: The associations are strongly against the ongoing merger of the bank’s branches.
4. Proper Implementation of Computer Increment Scheme: They demand the implementation of the computer increment scheme as per DFS orders and the payment of arrears accordingly.

Agitation as Necessity

A member of the officers association told Kanal, “The agitation is a necessary step as a response to the management’s inaction. The associations hope that these measures will compel the management to address our legitimate demands and avert further disruptions.” 

According to the letter, the agitational program includes a badge-wearing demonstration and the submission of memorandums to members of NABARD, DFS, and the sponsor bank in June. In July, the agitation will escalate to office hour demonstrations, a mass dharna at the head office, and a one-day strike.

The escalating tensions between AGVB management and its employees underscore the urgent need to address labour concerns in the banking sector. The demands made by the employees’ associations reflect fundamental issues of compensation, fair implementation of policies, and job security. As the scheduled agitation dates approach, it remains to be seen how the bank’s management will respond to these pressing issues.