UFBU calls for strike from March 23

RAIPUR,CG,INDIA: The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), a joint body representing nine major bank unions across public, private, foreign, cooperative, and regional rural banks, has announced a two-day nationwide strike from midnight on March 23 to midnight on March 25, 2025. The decision follows a series of unaddressed demands concerning staffing, work conditions, job security, and employee welfare.

One of the key concerns raised by UFBU is the acute shortage of staff in banks. Despite public sector banks handling a vast number of customers and implementing government schemes, recruitment has significantly declined over the years. Between 2013 and 2024, the number of clerical staff dropped from 398,801 to 246,965, while the sub-staff count decreased from 153,628 to 94,348. This reduction has led to increased workload on existing employees, affecting customer service. In contrast, private sector banks have seen a sharp rise in recruitment over the same period.

Another major demand is the implementation of a five-day work week in banks. While financial institutions like the RBI and insurance companies have already adopted this system, public sector banks continue to function six days a week. Despite Indian banks recommending the change to the government a year ago, there has been no progress, prompting the unions to push for immediate implementation.

UFBU is also demanding the withdrawal of recent directives from the Department of Financial Services (DFS) related to performance reviews and incentive schemes, which they claim threaten job security and create divisions among employees. Other concerns include ensuring the safety of bank staff from abusive customers, filling vacant posts of Workmen and Officer Directors in public sector banks, increasing the gratuity ceiling to ₹25 lakh, exempting staff welfare benefits from income tax, maintaining a minimum of 51% government equity in IDBI Bank, stopping micromanagement of public sector banks by the DFS, and halting the outsourcing of permanent jobs.

The unions assert that their demands are essential for ensuring fair work conditions and the efficient functioning of the banking sector. With no resolution in sight, they have been compelled to resort to a strike. UFBU has urged the public to understand their stance and support their protest, despite the temporary inconvenience it may cause.