Advertisement
Gramin Bank Staff Unions Announce Agitation Over Long-Pending Demands
The All India Gramin Bank Officers Organisation and the All India Gramin Bank Workers Organisation have issued a formal notice to launch an agitation concerning Regional Rural Banks, citing long-pending issues such as service condition parity, inadequate recruitment, and opposition to the Initial Public Offering proposal.
Author: Kalyani Mali
Published: 10 hours ago
Advertisement
In a formal notice dated June 12, 2025, the All India Gramin Bank Officers Organisation (AIGBOO) and the All India Gramin Bank Workers Organisation (AIGBWO) announced a series of protest actions across Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in India. These protests aim to highlight long-standing demands related to working conditions, service parity, recruitment policies, and the controversial proposal to bring RRBs to the stock market through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). The agitation will culminate in a one-day nationwide strike on August 22, 2025.
Key Agitation Dates and Planned Actions
As mentioned in the official letter, The protest programme spans nearly two months and is designed to escalate in a phased manner.
Black Badge Protest: July 1 and 2, 2025
Lunch Break/Day-End Demonstrations & Submission of Memorandums: July 9, 2025, at RRB Head Offices (HOs) and Regional Offices (ROs)
Dharna & Memorandum to Finance Minister: Sit-in protest at RRB HOs on July 25, 2025, along with submission of a memorandum to the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister
One-Day Nationwide Strike: August 22, 2025
Advertisement
Image: Official circular issued by AIGBOO and AIGBWO, announcing a phased agitation programme over unresolved demands in RRBs
Key Demands of AIGBOO and AIGBWO
As mentioned in the above letter, the following long-pending and pressing demands have compelled the unions to initiate this agitation:
Withdrawal of RRB IPO Proposal: Immediate withdrawal of the proposal for the IPO of RRBs to safeguard their public and rural character.
Resolution of Transfer Policy Issues: Anomalies in the transfer policy have adversely impacted staff morale and operational efficiency.
Service Condition Parity: Extension of full parity in service conditions to RRB employees—covering leave rules, staff loans, leased accommodation, and other perquisites—in line with commercial banks.
Implementation of Settlements: Immediate and unconditional implementation of the 12th Bipartite Settlement and 9th Joint Note across all RRBs without deviations.
Additional Demands and Policy Reforms
The unions have also pressed for structural changes and inclusion in key policy decisions:
Formation of Rashtriya Gramin Bank: With a clear mandate to preserve each RRB's regional identity.
Recruitment & Promotion Policy Reform: Adequate hiring and alignment of promotion rules with commercial bank standards.
Inclusion in Policy Making: They urge the inclusion of RRB unions in discussions with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
Job Security & Five-Day Week: Regularisation of temporary staff and implementation of a five-day workweek are also on the agenda.
The AIGBOO and the AIGBWO have formally outlined a phased agitation plan to raise various service-related and policy issues concerning RRBs. The scheduled actions, including demonstrations, submission of memorandums, and a nationwide strike, are aimed at seeking resolution of these long-pending demands through established trade union procedures.
No comments yet.