Bank of Baroda Sponsored RRBs Brace for Imminent Indefinite Strike

The Unions in Bank of Baroda (BoB) sponsored Gramin banks have announced an indefinite strike starting from June 25, 2024, in response to growing discontent among the employees of three Bank of Baroda sponsored Regional Rural Banks (RRBs): Baroda UP Bank, Baroda Rajasthan Kshetriya Gramin Bank (BRKGB), and Baroda Gujarat Gramin Bank (BGGB). The Joint Forum of Unions in these RRBs has highlighted a series of unresolved issues that have led to this drastic step.

The unions in BoB-sponsored RRBs have raised concerns over unresolved issues including a four-year recruitment freeze, a stagnant promotion policy, and continuous violations of S.K. Mitra Committee guidelines on recruitment and unfair labour practices. The All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association (AIRRBEA) has extended its support to the decision of indefinite strike. In the letter to the Additional Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) on June 19, 2024, AIRRBEA highlighted crucial points of discontent among employees of the three RRBs.

Image: AIRRBEA letter to the DFS on Unrest in BOB Sponsored RRBs

The key issues being raised by AIRRBEA urging an immediate redressal are as follows:

1. Manpower Shortage: It flagged the critical manpower shortage in these banks and lamented that despite repeated requests, there has been no significant recruitment in recent years, leading to an overburdened workforce. This shortage has been particularly detrimental given the expansive operations of these banks across various regions.
2. Promotion Delays: There has been a consistent delay in promotions, which has resulted in stagnation and frustration among employees. It urged to implement promotion upto Scale V as per S.K Mitra Committee norms.
3. Work Pressure and Misbehaviour: AIRRBEA demands to stop undue pressure and misbehaviour on staff members from administrative offices.
4. Stop Unfair Labour Practices and Discrimination: The letter demands to immediately stop unfair labour practices, implement Industrial Disputes Act and regularise workers who have been rendering services to the bank for more than 10 years.

Broader Trend of Dissatisfaction

Reacting to the upcoming indefinite strike, AIRRBEA Secretary General, Venkateshwar Reddy told Kanal, “The adamant attitude of ignoring the glaring concerns of employees in the three BoB sponsored RRBs is a gesture of concern to which the workforce have stood against. It is happening despite continuous requests falling on deaf ears.” 

This strike is not an isolated incident but reflects a broader trend of dissatisfaction among employees in the RRB sector. Recently, the Baroda UP Bank Employees Union had also raised concerns with the Government of Uttar Pradesh regarding a recruitment freeze, underscoring the widespread nature of these issues across multiple regions and banks.

Despite these challenges, the financial performance of these RRBs, particularly in the fiscal year 2024, has been commendable. However, the unresolved issues of manpower shortage, delayed promotions, and poor working conditions pose a significant threat to a sustainable good performance.