Bank Employees Stage Massive Rally in Jalandhar Demanding 5-Day Work Week
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) led a significant rally in Jalandhar on Tuesday, as part of a nationwide bank strike, with hundreds of employees gathering to press for the immediate implementation of a five-day banking week. The protest, held in front of the State Bank of India (SBI) in Civil Lines, Jalandhar, highlighted long-standing grievances and broader concerns affecting the banking sector.
Core Demand: Implementation of Five-Day Work Week
Employees strongly asserted that the five-day work week was already agreed upon in the Bipartite Settlement but remains unimplemented, leading to allegations of discrimination. They pointed out that most other government departments across India already operate on a five-day schedule, making this a critical issue of fairness and work-life balance for bank staff.
Broader Concerns Raised During the Protest
Beyond the demand for a reduced workweek, the rally addressed several pressing issues:
- Privatisation and Disinvestment: Protestors voiced strong opposition to the privatisation and disinvestment of public sector banks, fearing it could undermine job security and public trust.
- Foreign Investment in Insurance: Increased foreign investment in the insurance sector was highlighted as a concern, with unions warning it might impact domestic employment and regulatory standards.
- Labour Law Amendments: Proposed amendments to labour laws were criticised for potentially threatening workers' rights and protections.
- Staff Shortages: A major issue raised was the acute shortage of bank staff, which has led to excessive workloads, increased mental stress among employees, and a deterioration in customer service quality. Unions demanded immediate large-scale recruitment to ensure smooth operations.
Union Leaders and Collective Resolve
The rally was addressed by prominent union leaders, including Vinay Dogra from the National Consultation of Bank Employees (NCBE), Vinod Sharma from the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), and representatives from the All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC) and other groups. They reiterated the unions' collective resolve to intensify the struggle if their demands continue to be ignored, with several activists and leaders present in large numbers to show solidarity.
Appeal to Authorities
The UFBU Jalandhar unit appealed to the Government of India and the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) to honour commitments made to bank employees and resolve pending issues promptly. They stressed that these demands are not only in the interest of bank staff but also benefit the general public by ensuring better banking services and stability.
The bank strike was scheduled from Monday midnight to Tuesday midnight, with UFBU using social media to amplify their message, stating that bank employees power India's financial stability and growth, often at the cost of their well-being, and that a five-day work week is a long-pending reform that must be implemented.
