Bank Strike:- The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has confirmed that its two-day nationwide strike will take place as planned on March 24 and 25, 2025. The strike comes after failed negotiations with the Indian Banks Association (IBA) over key demands, including job security, recruitment, and a five-day workweek.
Key Highlights of the Bank Strike
- Strike Dates: March 24-25, 2025
- Reason: No positive outcome from talks with the Indian Banks Association (IBA)
- Major Demands:
- Withdrawal of performance review and performance-linked incentives that impact job security
- Recruitment across all cadres to address staff shortages
- Implementation of a five-day workweek for bank employees
- Increased gratuity limit to ₹25 lakh, in line with government employee schemes
- Exemption of gratuity from income tax
- Concerns Over Policy Decisions: UFBU alleges that the Department of Financial Services (DFS) is micromanaging public sector banks (PSBs), reducing their autonomy.
Who is Participating in the Strike?
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) is an umbrella group of nine bank employee unions. Its key members include:
- All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA)
- All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC)
- National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE)
- All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA)
- Bank Employees Confederation of India (BEFI)
Earlier, AIBOC had threatened a similar strike on February 24-25, 2025, but the UFBU has now announced a joint action on March 24-25.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are bank employees going on strike?
Bank employees are protesting against new performance-linked policies that they say threaten job security and create divisions among employees. They are also demanding better working conditions, including a five-day workweek, recruitment drives, and higher gratuity benefits.
2. Will banks remain closed during the strike?
Yes, banking services are likely to be disrupted on March 24 and 25, as employees across the country are expected to participate in the strike.
3. What is the issue with performance-linked incentives?
UFBU argues that these new policies introduced by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) put undue pressure on employees and impact job security. They are demanding their immediate withdrawal.
4. How will this strike impact customers?
Customers may face delays in banking transactions, cash withdrawals, cheque clearance, and loan processing. Online banking and ATMs will likely remain functional, but branch services could be affected.
5. Has the government responded to the demands?
As of now, there has been no positive resolution from talks between the UFBU and the Indian Banks Association (IBA). The strike will proceed unless a last-minute agreement is reached.
6. Is there a chance the strike could be called off?
If the Indian Banks Association (IBA) agrees to address the key demands, the unions may reconsider. However, with no progress in recent talks, the strike appears inevitable.
Final Thoughts
The upcoming bank strike on March 24-25 could significantly impact banking services nationwide. With no resolution in negotiations, bank employees remain firm in their demands for better working conditions, job security, and fair policies.
Customers should plan their transactions in advance to avoid disruptions. Stay updated for further developments.
