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BEFI Agitation Highlights Concerns Over CSB Bank Policies
The Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) held protests on 18 December 2024 across Kerala, demanding the implementation of wage settlements in CSB Bank, regularisation of appointments, and an end to anti-worker practices.
Author: Abhivad
Published: December 23, 2024
The Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) staged dharnas on 18 December 2024 at various locations in Kerala, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur, Alappuzha and Thrissur, to protest against the policies of CSB Bank management. The protests were aimed at addressing issues such as delayed implementation of wage settlements, anti-worker practices, and exclusionary banking policies.
(CITU State Secretary C K Harikrishnan inaugurated the dharna at CSB regional office in Thiruvananthapuram.)
Protests at Key Locations
In Thiruvananthapuram, the dharna held at the regional office of CSB Bank was inaugurated by Centre for Indian Trade Unions(CITU) State Secretary C. K. Harikrishnan. Leaders from the BEFI at both the state and all-India levels participated in the event. Similar protests were organised in Alappuzha, Kannur and Thrissur as part of the agitation programme.
Key Demands Raised
BEFI highlighted several demands during the protest, including:
- Immediate implementation of the 11th and 12th bipartite wage settlements, which are yet to be enforced at CSB Bank despite being adopted by other banks.
- An end to anti-worker practices such as the reduction of retirement age and the replacement of regular employment with contract-based appointments.
- Regularisation of appointments and ensuring fair service conditions for employees.
- A reversal of policies that exclude small customers and deny loans to priority sectors.
(The dharna at CSB bank headquarters in Thrissur, Kerala.)
Background of the Issue
CSB Bank, one of Kerala’s oldest private banks, saw a major shift in operations after its majority stake was acquired by Canadian company Fairfax in 2018. Since then, the number of permanent employees has dropped from 4,000 to 900, with most staff now working under "cost-to-company" terms without adequate service conditions.
The management’s alleged move towards unilateral decisions, including reducing the retirement age and excluding small customers, has drawn criticism. Fairfax is now bidding to acquire IDBI Bank, raising additional concerns among unions about its practices. IDBI staff have already come out opposing this privatisation move.
Employees of CSB Bank, led by the CSB Bank Staff Federation (CSBSF), have been protesting against management policies, demanding rightful entitlements. BEFI has announced plans to escalate the agitation to a national level, with protest demonstrations across various states in the coming months.
The ongoing protests by BEFI and the CSB Bank Staff Federation highlight growing discontent over policies affecting employees and customers. The union's demands underscore the need for fair practices in banking and employment.