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Bankers Stage Badge-wearing Protest Nationwide Ahead of UFBU's Mass Dharna in New Delhi
Ahead of the Mass Dharna in New Delhi(near the parliament), on 3 March 2025, bank employees across India participated in a badge-wearing protest on 28 February 2025, highlighting their demands and growing discontent.
Author: Abhivad
Published: February 28, 2025
In a show of solidarity ahead of the Mass Dharna called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) in New Delhi(near the parliament), on 3 March 2025, bank employees across the country staged a badge-wearing protest today. Employees from several public sector banks (PSBs) participated by wearing badges to work as part of the campaign leading up to the nationwide strike later in March.
(Bankers participating in the badge-wearing protest in Canara Bank.)
Widespread Participation Reflects Growing Discontent
Bankers from various UFBU constituent unions joined the badge-wearing protest, underlining their dissatisfaction with increasing work pressure, staff shortages, and several long-pending demands, including the implementation of a five-day banking week. The demonstration, organised in branches across the country, is a precursor to the massive participation expected in the upcoming Dharna in the national capital.
(Bankers wearing badges to work today.)
The ongoing agitation reflects the concerns of bank employees regarding staffing issues, work-life balance, and policy decisions impacting job security. UFBU's demands include adequate recruitment in banks, the introduction of a five-day work week, withdrawal of directives affecting performance-linked incentives, an end to job outsourcing, workplace safety measures, and retention of a 51% government stake in IDBI Bank. The agitation also highlights the lack of a positive response from the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the Department of Financial Services (DFS) towards these concerns.
(Pictures from the Badge-wearing protest, Manipur and Nagaland.)
Upcoming Dharna and Nationwide Strike
With massive participation expected, the Mass Dharna will serve as a crucial demonstration of unity among bank employees. The following two-day nationwide strike is also expected to severely impact banking services. Falling before a weekend, the strike will result in four consecutive non-working days, potentially disrupting year-end financial transactions and services.
(Union Bank staff participate in the badge-wearing protest.)
Lack of Response from Authorities
So far, there has been no constructive dialogue or resolution from the IBA and DFS to the concerns raised by bankers. Union leaders have reiterated their determination to continue with the agitation until their demands are met.
(Bankers wearing badges in protest. A picture from Kerala.)
The badge-wearing protest on 28 February 2025 signals the growing unrest among bank employees and their collective push for long-standing demands. With the Dharna in New Delhi and the nationwide strike on the horizon, the banking sector is set to witness widespread disruptions, unless a resolution is reached through meaningful discussions between UFBU and the concerned authorities.
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