Mizoram Rural Bank Unions Agitate Over Unresolved 12th BPS Benefits

The Joint Council of Mizoram Rural Bank (MRB) Unions, comprising the Mizoram Rural Bank Officers’ Association (MRBOA), Staff Association (MRBSA), and Pensioner Association, has started an agitation citing implementation of the 12th BPS benefits. On January 6, 2024 the unions commenced their first phase of agitation by non-cooperation work to rule.

In a letter dated December 9, 2024, the unions cited a lack of progress on implementing the 12th Bipartite Settlement (BPS) and other pending issues, despite repeated appeals. It said, “The Joint Council of Mizoram Rural Bank Unions in its meeting on 03/12/2024 reviewed the minutes cum reply of the demands of the meeting between the bank management and Joint Council of MRB Unions. We found it greatly disturbing that the wording of our demands were truncated and modified in the minutes of the meeting which must be discontinued in the future. Mizoram Rural Bank Pensioner Association is a constituent of Joint Council of MRB Unions and must be acknowledged as such in the future. Since no positive movement is seen from your end, as a responsible trade union, and no option left, we are compelled to serve this agitation notice to you.” 

Image: Letter of the Joint Council of MRB Union against the delayed implementation of 12th BPS benefits

According to sources from the Joint Council of MRB, the initial phase of agitation involves adhering strictly to a work-to-rule policy and boycotting the cross-selling of TPPs. These measures will persist until reasonable resolutions are reached. A conciliation meeting with the Assistant Labour Commissioner is scheduled for January 13 in Silchar, Assam, to determine the next course of action.

The 12th Bipartite Settlement and the 9th Joint Note are agreements reached between unions and bank management to ensure fair compensation and working conditions for banking employees. However, despite the settlements being applicable to PSBs, their implementation in RRBs like MRB has lagged.

Demands for Fair Treatment and Policy Reform

The unions listed ten specific demands in their letter, urging immediate action to avoid industrial unrest. These include:

1. Support for Common Demands: Immediate favorable recommendations to the SBI Chairman for resolving common issues across 14 SBI-sponsored RRBs.
2. Payment of Arrears: Settlement of pending arrears related to TA/HA, LTC/LFC, Permanent Transfer Allowance, and Performance-Linked Incentives (PLI).
3. Smartphone Advance: Increasing the limit for smartphone advances to ₹50,000.
4. Special Pay for Cash Officers: Payment of special allowances and arrears for Office Assistants handling cash operations as per the 12th BPS.
5. Transparent Transfers: Adherence to transfer policy, ensuring employees are informed of all transfer orders, and timely redressal of grievances.
6. Amended Transfer Policy: Revision of the transfer policy in consultation with the unions and issuance of updated circulars for all amendments.
7. CSR Representation: Inclusion of union representatives in the CSR policy committee for better workforce representation.
8. Restructuring VAS Department: Establishing the Value-Added Services department as a full-fledged unit and discontinuing the assignment of Relationship Managers.
9. Life Insurance Competition: Introduction of additional life insurance companies to compete with SBI Life, addressing customer dissatisfaction with current offerings.
10. Campaign Pressure: Reducing stress caused by excessive campaigns and login days, which the unions claim are causing anxiety among employees.

DFS and SBI Urged to Act

The unions have requested the bank's management to escalate these issues to the Corporate Centre of SBI, NABARD, and the Department of Financial Services (DFS) for immediate resolution. The letter underscores the growing unrest among MRB employees and retirees, highlighting unresolved concerns that risk disrupting banking operations in the region.