Bank of Baroda Officers Start Agitation Over Transfer Policy Anomalies

Bank of Baroda officers across India protested today, 12 June 2024, voicing their discontent with the bank’s new transfer policy. Organized by the All India Bank of Baroda Officers’ Association (AIBOBOA), the protest saw officers wearing black badges to highlight the hardships caused by transfers to distant locations. The protest follows failed attempts to resolve these issues with the bank's management.

(Copy of the circular released by AIBOBOA giving the call for an agitation programme.) 

The recent transfer policy implemented by Bank of Baroda has been met with widespread dissatisfaction among its officers. Complaints have surged regarding the lack of transparency and fairness in the inter-zone transfer (IZT) exercise. Officers have reported being transferred to distant locations without consideration for personal circumstances, causing significant disruption to their personal and professional lives.

(BOB officers assemble in front of a branch in Ernakulam, Kerala wearing badges as part of the agitation.)

AIBOBOA’s Call for Agitation

AIBOBOA's circular dated 11 June, 2024, outlined numerous grievances. The circular pointed out that although a retransfer clause was agreed upon, it was not applied uniformly across all zones, particularly in Patna, Bhuvaneshwar, and Hyderabad. Furthermore, the association highlighted the exclusion of the 2021 batch of officers from the transfer process, and the failure to address requests for compassionate ground transfers and retransfer of specialists and chief managers.

(A badge used as part of the protest.)

In response to the management's perceived indifference, AIBOBOA has initiated a series of agitation programs. Officers have been urged to participate in protest gatherings at branches and regional offices after working hours. Today's black badge protest is the first step in a broader campaign as planned by the officers association.

According to the circular released by AIBOBOA, future agitation measures include dharnas, a potential strike, and a non-cooperation movement. AIBOBOA plans to detail these actions in forthcoming communications. The association emphasized that these steps are necessary to draw attention to the officers' plight and compel the bank's management to address their concerns. The circular also reminds its members of the hardships of target pressure and HR harassment to reclaim the rewards in connection with the BOB World Fiasco.   

(BOB officers protest wearing black armbands and holding placards at IBB branch in Vadodara.)

Transfer Policy- A Major Talking Point on Social Media

The transfer policy issues have also gained traction on social media, with many officers expressing their frustrations online. The main concerns revolve around being uprooted from their current locations and reassigned to far-off states, which many feel is a deliberate attempt to cause disruption. Officers argue that the policy disregards humanitarian considerations, adding unnecessary stress to their lives and affecting their performance.

(BOB officers gather in front of Bikaner Zonal Office wearing black badges and holding placards.) 

The protest by Bank of Baroda officers today marks the beginning of a series of agitation programs led by AIBOBOA. The officers' grievances over the new transfer policy highlight significant issues that require immediate attention from the bank's management. As the agitation progresses, the banking sector will be closely watching for any developments and the management's response to the escalating situation.