Advertisement
Private Bank Unions Adopt Aluva Declaration, Call for Nationalisation and Nationwide Protest
Private bank unions, under AIBEA, adopted the Aluva Declaration demanding nationalisation, better employee rights, and resisting privatisation. nationwide protests and a massive dharna before parliament are planned.
Author: Ishna
Published: 8 hours ago
Advertisement
The National Convention of the All India Private Sector Bank Unions’ Cell, affiliated with the All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA), concluded with a strong call to resist privatisation and foreignisation of India’s banking sector. Held at the premises of the Federal Bank Employees Union building in Aluva, the convention brought together union leaders, delegates, and members from across the country, culminating in the adoption of the Aluva Declaration.
Also read National Convention of Private Bank Unions (AIBEA) Concludes in Aluva
Key Concerns Raised
Inaugurating the convention, AIBEA leaders reiterated that successive government policies are pushing both public and private sector banks towards privatisation, undermining the role of banks in social and economic development. They cited recent cases of foreign investments in Indian banks – including DBS’s stake in Lakshmi Vilas Bank, DBS’s capital investment in CSB Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp’s investment in Yes Bank – as part of a larger trend to cede control of the domestic banking sector to foreign entities.
Speakers highlighted issues such as:
- Victimisation of union leaders and employees in private banks, especially in Federal Bank and Tamilnad Mercantile Bank.
- Denial of benefits like the 11th and 12th Bipartite Settlement to employees of CSB Bank.
- Employment of C2C officers and contract workers instead of recruiting regular staff under the IBA pattern.
- Non-extension of ex-gratia pension benefits to retired employees in most private banks.
The convention stressed that these anti-worker practices, coupled with government efforts to privatise IDBI Bank and sell stakes in Nainital Bank, threaten job security, trade union rights, and financial sovereignty.
‘Aluva Declaration – Fight Back, Our Way Forward’
The Aluva Declaration adopted at the convention outlined a nine-point charter of demands, including:
- Nationalisation of all private banks.
- Adequate recruitment of regular clerical and sub-staff in all banks.
- Reversal of victimisation in Federal Bank.
- Early wage revision in CSB Bank.
- Extension of ex-gratia benefits to retirees across private banks.
- Preventing sale of Nainital Bank and IDBI Bank to private/foreign investors.
- Extending retirement age to 60 in Tamilnad Mercantile Bank.
- Recognition of all C2C employees as regular staff.
- Tax-exempted pension funds in private banks.
Advertisement
Nationwide Protest Programme
The unions charted out a series of protest actions leading up to a massive demonstration before Parliament in New Delhi on December 10, 2025. Key activities include:
- Sept 1 onwards: Campaigns and explanatory meetings.
- Sept 20–30: Submission of memoranda to MDs of all private banks.
- Oct 7: Badge wearing protest.
- Oct 14 & Nov 11: State-level demonstrations.
- Nov 3: Dharna before heads of banks.
- Nov 17: Deputation with memorandum to the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
- Dec 8: Nationwide demonstrations.
- Dec 10: Massive Dharna before Parliament.
The convention also indicated the possibility of an All-India Strike in January 2026, if the demands remain unaddressed.
Voices from the Convention
Addressing the delegates, union leaders emphasised the need for unity in defending employees’ rights and safeguarding the banking sector from privatisation. The Federal Bank Employees Union received special appreciation for hosting the convention and for its role in sustained struggles.
Convention Convener A.R. Sujith Raju stressed that trade unions cannot remain apolitical when workers’ rights are threatened. He underscored that the only way to resist management and government attacks is through collective struggles under the protective umbrella of AIBEA.
Looking Ahead
The convention concluded with a call for intensified campaigns and mobilisations across India. The next meeting of the Private Sector Bank Unions’ Cell will be hosted by the Karur Vysya Bank Employees Union in Karur.
With privatisation and foreign investment looming large, the Aluva Declaration marks a significant moment in the struggle of private bank unions, aiming to safeguard employees’ rights, strengthen trade union presence, and protect India’s banking sovereignty.
No comments yet.