Baroda Rajasthan Kshetriya Gramin Bank Unions Call for Indefinite Strike Over Unresolved Issues

The All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association (AIRRBEA) has raised significant concerns about the operational inefficiencies at Baroda Rajasthan Kshetriya Gramin Bank (BRKGB), prompting an upcoming indefinite strike. The Joint Forum of Baroda Rajasthan Kshetriya Gramin Bank Unions (JFBRKGBU) has announced that the strike will commence on June 25, 2024, citing a range of unresolved issues that have been ignored for an extended period.

In a letter dated June 10, 2024, AIRRBEA highlighted several critical issues, including an acute shortage of staff, violations of S.K. Mitra Committee guidelines, and the neglect of the promotion process within the bank.

Image: AIRRBEA letter to the Baroda Rajasthan Kshetriya Gramin Bank Chairman 

Key Issues Highlighted

In the detailed letter addressed to the Chairman of BRKGB, the AIRRBEA outlined five major grievances:

1. Acute Staff Shortage: The bank has been grappling with a severe shortage of staff across all levels and cadres. Despite repeated clarifications and instructions from the Government of India (GOI) and NABARD to formulate and finalise manpower planning, the bank has failed to address these directives adequately.
2. Promotion and Recruitment Neglect: The letter emphasises that the Joint Forum has long demanded the initiation of promotion and recruitment processes as per the Mitra Committee Report. However, the bank has not taken any concrete steps, causing significant operational strain on the existing staff.
3. Violation of Mitra Committee Recommendations: The Mitra Committee Report, which outlines the guidelines for recruitment and promotions, has been disregarded. The failure to adhere to these guidelines has led to a situation where staff members are overworked and increasingly aggrieved.
4. Industrial Unrest: The continuous neglect of staff needs and the failure to fill vacant positions have created a state of industrial unrest. The employees are demoralised and discontented, leading to a decline in overall morale and productivity.
5. Immediate Demands: The union has listed specific demands including immediate recruitment in all posts based on the vacancy calculations as per the Mitra Committee Report, and adequate promotions in line with the extant promotion policy and guidelines.

Requests on Deaf Ears

An employee of BRKGB expressed frustration with the bank management to Kanal, stating, “The bank is heading towards a major crisis due to mishandling its workforce by not recruiting new staff and undermining the promotion policy. This is disrupting the work-life balance and increasing work pressure beyond imagination, despite several requests for action.”

The employee further noted, “With no recruitment in the last four years, many employees are still awaiting promotion. The genuine demand for adequate recruitment to counter staff shortages is falling on deaf ears, leading to the decision to go on strike.”

Baroda Rajasthan Kshetriya Gramin Bank operates with 885 branches across 13 regions of the state, employing approximately 3,000 bankers. According to bank sources, there is a severe shortage of clerical staff, with the current strength at only 900.

Recent Distress Among Bank of Baroda Sponsored RRBs

The strike call comes at a time when other Bank of Baroda sponsored gramin banks are also facing similar distress. Instances of professional misconduct and allegations of malpractices have been reported among branch managers and employees, leading to an environment of dissatisfaction and unrest. The Baroda UP Bank, India’s largest gramin bank, has also highlighted issues such as staff shortages and unfulfilled recruitment promises despite impressive financial performance in FY24.

Another employee of the bank said, “The ongoing neglect of essential recruitment and promotion processes, despite clear directives and guidelines, threatens to paralyse these institutions. Addressing these issues promptly is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and ensuring the welfare of the employees who contribute to the banks’ success.”

The indefinite strike call at BRKGB underscores a broader issue within the Bank of Baroda sponsored gramin banks, where operational challenges and staff grievances are prevalent.