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UFBU Two-day Nationwide Strike: Agitations Kick-start with Bank Employees Dharna
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called for a two-day nationwide bank strike on 24-25 March 2025, demanding recruitment, a five-day work week, and job security. A dharna will be held before Parliament on 3 March 2025. The agitation has gained momentum with over 250 bank employees protesting at SBI Treasury Branch, Pune, reinforcing key demands.
Author: Abhivad
Published: February 15, 2025
In a show of growing momentum, over 250 bank employees staged a protest at the SBI Treasury Branch, Collector Office, Pune, on Friday, 14 February 2025, in support of the demands raised as part of UFBU's two-day nationwide bank strike on 24-25 March 2025.
Images - Demonstration at the SBI Treasury Branch, Collector Office, Pune
Photo Courtesy - Vitthal Mane
"The overwhelming participation of bank employees in the demonstration reflects their determination to fight for their rights", according to Vitthal Mane, UFBU Pune convenor. "Our unity will send a strong message to authorities that our demands for job security, fair working conditions, and recruitment must be addressed", he added.
Major Banking Unions Join Hands
The agitation is supported by major banking unions, including AIBEA (All India Bank Employees' Association), AIBOC (All India Bank Officers' Confederation), NCBE (National Confederation of Bank Employees), AIBOA (All India Bank Officers' Association), BEFI (Bank Employees Federation of India), INBEF (Indian National Bank Employees Federation), INBOC (Indian National Bank Officers' Congress), NOBW (National Organisation of Bank Workers), and NOBO (National Organisation of Bank Officers). A dharna before Parliament has also been scheduled for 3 March 2025 to intensify the protest.
Key Demands of the Agitation
UFBU has put forth several demands, which include:
- Adequate Recruitment – Filling vacancies across all cadres and regularising temporary employees.
- Five-Day Work Week – Implementation of a uniform five-day work week in banks.
- Withdrawal of DFS Directives on Performance Review and PLI – Citing job security concerns.
- Ban on Outsourcing – Stopping the outsourcing of permanent banking jobs.
- Workplace Safety – Ensuring protection of bank employees from customer abuse and assaults.
- Filling of Workmen and Officer Director Posts in Public Sector Banks (PSBs).
- Resolution of Pending Issues with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
- Increase in Gratuity Ceiling – Raising it to ₹25 lakh and ensuring tax exemptions similar to government employees.
- Tax Exemption on Staff Welfare Benefits.
- Government Retention of 51% Stake in IDBI Bank to prevent privatisation.
Image - Poster released by UFBU
Bank unions have expressed concerns over policy decisions made by top management and regulatory authorities, citing micromanagement of public sector banks (PSBs) by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), which negatively affects service conditions. They also oppose unregulated outsourcing, arguing that it leads to job insecurity, and highlight unfair labour practices that adversely affect employees in the banking sector.
AIRRBEA Joins the Agitation
The All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association (AIRRBEA), the largest union in the Gramin Bank sector, has decided to join the UFBU strike on 24-25 March 2025. This decision was passed during AIRRBEA’s All India Conference in Ballari, adding significant momentum to the protest. The participation of AIRRBEA is expected to strengthen the impact of the agitation.
Impact on Banking Operations
The strike on 24-25 March 2025 is expected to impact financial year-ending operations as it falls before a weekend, resulting in four consecutive non-working days for banks. Customers are likely to face disruptions in banking services, including cash transactions, cheque clearances, and loan processing.
Speaking to Kanal Media, PM Balachandra, All India President of AIBOC, stated, “Constituent organisations of UFBU have been raising these burning issues in the banking sector. Many had announced independent agitation programmes for the same cause. Now, all these agitation programmes and organisations from the banking sector will come together under the umbrella of UFBU, which will strengthen the impact of the agitation in proportion to the unity of bankers on these demands.”
Planned Agitation Programmes
The agitation will include demonstrations, poster campaigns, badge-wearing, rallies, and social media campaigns, culminating in the nationwide strike on 24-25 March 2025.
Image - The chart of agitational programmes
UFBU leaders have urged employees to participate actively to ensure their demands are addressed.
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