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Tripura Gramin Bank Employees in Distress, Launch Protest Over Unresolved Issues
Employees of Tripura Gramin Bank have initiated protests, including plans for an indefinite strike, over long-standing unresolved grievances. Represented by the Joint Development Forum—comprising unions affiliated with the All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association (AIRRBEA), All India Regional Rural Bank Officers’ Federation (AIRRBOF), and Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)—they are pressing for urgent action to address employee welfare, operational challenges, and customer service issues.
Author: Saurav Kumar
Published: January 20, 2025
In a formal notice to the management of Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB), employees under the Joint Development Forum have announced a series of protests, including a potential indefinite strike from March 15, 2025. This decision stems from long standing grievances that remain unaddressed despite multiple discussions, correspondences, and conciliatory meetings with the bank's management.
The Joint Development Forum comprises unions affiliated with the All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association (AIRRBEA), the All India Regional Rural Bank Officers’ Federation (AIRRBOF), and the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS).
The Joint Development Forum, representing 100% of TGB’s employees and officers, expressed concerns over customer service, employee welfare, and operational challenges. According to the notice, the unresolved issues are causing mounting dissatisfaction among customers and employees, posing risks to the bank’s stability and reputation. The demands of employees are as follows:
- Modification of the Transfer Policy with proper consultation with the recognised trade unions, giving due weightage to our proposals/suggestions.
- Development of the bank’s infrastructure, promoting greater transparency, and eliminating favouritism.
- Avoiding the issuance of unnecessary show cause or DO letters to branches/employees.
- Providing hassle-free banking services for customers, including loans and other banking services.
- Manpower calculation should align with the S.K. Mitra recommendations and be communicated to the recognised unions.
- Posting of Principal Office Bearers of recognised trade unions at the TGB Head Office to create a bridge between employees/Officers and employers, ensuring faster resolution of employee/Officer-related issues.
- Repatriation of all deputed officers of the sponsor bank from Tripura Gramin Bank to provide growth and promotional opportunities for the employees of Tripura Gramin Bank.
- Proper implementation of minimum wages for DRWs / Sanitation Workers along with all statutory benefits like epf, esi, medical, leave etc.
- Full implementation of the 9th Joint Note and 12th Bipartite Settlement, along with all due benefits/arrears.
- All allowances/benefits should be at par with those of the Sponsor Bank.
Agitation Plan and Employees’ Demands
As per forum's outlined plan, employees have initiated demonstrations, work-to-rule, and non-cooperation measures, and would go on an indefinite strike in March. The planned actions include:
- Work-to-rule commencing January 8, 2025.
- Non-cooperation from January 20, 2025, restricting communication through WhatsApp or virtual meetings.
- Strikes: One-day on January 27, two-day on February 24-25, and an indefinite strike beginning March 15, 2025.
The representatives of the unions have urged the management to resolve these issues promptly through mutual dialogue to avoid disruptions to banking services.
The Joint Development Forum has also called upon regulatory bodies such as NABARD and the Reserve Bank of India to intervene. “Employees and employers must maintain close liaison to ensure the bank’s development,” the forum stated, advocating for an amicable resolution.
With strikes looming, all eyes are on Tripura Gramin Bank’s management and its response to this escalating crisis.