Bank: The United Forum of Bank Unions has announced a two-day protest scheduled for March 24-25 in response to several demands, including sufficient recruitment across all levels, the regularization of temporary workers, and the establishment of a five-day workweek in the banking sector, as reported by news agency ANI on Monday.

This forum serves as a coalition of nine bank unions: AIBEA, AIBOC, NCBE, AIBOA, BEFI, INBEF, INBOC, NOBW, and NOBO. The United Forum of Bank Unions has expressed its opposition to the micro-management of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) regarding policy issues, which they argue adversely impacts the working conditions of employees and officers while undermining bilateral negotiations.

Additionally, they oppose the outsourcing of permanent positions within banks and the prevalence of unfair labor practices in the banking sector. A significant number of bank employees nationwide are expected to participate in this strike, potentially disrupting banking operations. Individuals with urgent matters are advised to address them in advance.

The unions’ demands include:

– Sufficient recruitment across all levels

– Regularization of all temporary staff

– Implementation of a five-day workweek in the banking sector

– Protection of job security

– Reversal of DFS instructions regarding performance reviews

– Withdrawal of DFS directives on Performance Linked Incentives (PLI)

– Ensuring the safety and protection of bankers

– Establishing a safe workplace for bank officers and employees

– Filling vacancies for employee/officer directors in public sector banks

– Resolution of outstanding issues with the Indian Banks Association

– Increasing the maximum gratuity limit to Rs 25 lakh and making it tax-exempt, aligning it with government employee standards

– Ceasing the imposition of unfair taxes on employee welfare, including the elimination of income tax on concessional benefits, with management covering the costs

– Safeguarding national interests by maintaining 51% government ownership in IDBI Bank