Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Bank employees announce two-day strike, banking services may remain stalled on March 24, 25
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, February 23, 2025: The agitation has once again intensified over the pending demands of bank employees.
A nationwide strike has been announced on 24 and 25 March under the banner of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). Due to this, banks may remain closed for four consecutive days including the holiday of 22 March (fourth Saturday) and 23 March (Sunday), due to which common people may face problems in banking services.
Phase-wise agitation will start from 28 February
Before this strike, the agitation will start from 28 February. On this day bank employees will work wearing black badges. After this:
3 March: Dharna in front of Parliament House in Delhi and a memorandum will be submitted to the Finance Minister and Department of Financial Services (DFS).
7 March: Demonstration will be held across the country at 5:15 pm.
11 March: Another nationwide protest will be held.
21 March: A big rally will be taken out as part of the movement.
Banking services may come to a standstill for four days
All India Bank Officers Committee's organizing secretary Rajesh Pasrija said that if the government and bank management do not pay attention to the demands of the employees, then the strike will be inevitable.
Since 22 March will be the fourth Saturday and 23 March will be a Sunday holiday, after this, banks may remain closed for four days due to the strike on 24-25 March. Due to this, customers may face problems in settling their important banking work.
What are the main demands of bank employees?
Bank employees have raised their voice on many important issues. Their main demands are as follows:
Five-day work week: The policy of working five days a week should be implemented in the banking sector.
Regularization of temporary employees: All temporary bank employees should be made permanent.
Adequate recruitment: Regular recruitment should be done in all cadres in the banking sector.
Job security: The new performance review and incentive instructions of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) should be withdrawn, which are making the future of the employees insecure.
Government stake in IDBI Bank: The government should retain a minimum of 51% stake in IDBI Bank.
Other demands related to security and welfare
Security of bank officials and staff: Strict measures should be taken to prevent incidents of attack and misbehavior by customers.
Gratuity limit should be increased: Demand to increase the limit of gratuity to Rs 25 lakh and make it income tax-free.
Tax on staff welfare scheme should be abolished: Income tax should not be levied on the concessional staff welfare benefits given to the employees. The bank management should bear the cost.
Customers may face problems.
This nationwide strike of bank employees will have a direct impact on the banking system of the country. Customers may face problems in cash withdrawal, check clearance, loan processing and other banking services.
The impact on digital banking services will be limited, but those doing cash transactions may have to face difficulties.If the talks between the government and bank unions are not successful, then this strike is certain, which can cause major upheaval in the banking sector.