Nationwide Bank Strike Scheduled for February 12 Over Labour Code Protests
Banking services across India are set to face significant disruption as major employee unions have announced a coordinated nationwide strike on February 12. The industrial action is being organized by the All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA), the All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA), and the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), who have collectively urged their members to participate.
Unions Join Forces with Central Trade Unions
These prominent banking associations are not acting alone. They have aligned their protest with 10 Central Trade Unions (CTUs), amplifying the scale and impact of the demonstration. The primary grievance driving this widespread mobilization is the government's introduction of four new Labour Codes in November, which effectively replace 29 existing labour laws.
In official communications to their units, the unions have expressed strong opposition, stating, "The labour codes proposed to be implemented are totally against the workers and stringent conditions have been prescribed to register trade unions." Beyond the immediate legislative concerns, the unions have consistently highlighted a broader pattern of what they describe as "increasing attacks on the working class."
Long-Standing Demands for Better Working Conditions
The protest is not solely focused on the new codes. The banking unions have a history of campaigning for improved employee welfare. Their longstanding demands include:
- Achieving a better work-life balance for bank staff.
- The nationwide adoption of a standardized five-day work week.
These issues have now converged with the opposition to the Labour Codes, creating a unified platform for the February 12 strike.
Impact on Banking Services and Customer Guidance
The announcement has created considerable uncertainty for customers regarding routine banking transactions scheduled for February 12. The critical question for the public is whether banks will remain operational.
Official Status: Banks Open with Expected Disruptions
Officially, most banks will remain open on the strike day. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has not declared February 12 a public holiday. Furthermore, no major bank has pre-emptively announced a full-day closure. However, leading financial institutions have issued clear warnings about potential operational hiccups due to the industrial action.
Bank of Baroda formally informed the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), stating, "The Bank is taking all the necessary steps for the smooth functioning of bank’s branches and offices on the day of the strike. In the event the strike materialises, the functioning of the branches and offices may be affected."
Echoing this sentiment, the State Bank of India (SBI) provided a similar advisory: "We advise that while the bank has made necessary arrangements to ensure normal functioning in its branches and offices on the day of strike, it is likely that work in the Bank may be impacted to a limited extent."
Banks Formally Notified of Strike Action
Both Bank of Baroda and SBI confirmed that they have received official strike notices from the organizing unions—AIBEA, AIBOA, and BEFI. These notices formally communicated the decision to undertake industrial action to press for their various demands.
Customers are strongly advised to plan their essential banking activities accordingly. While branches may technically be open, services are likely to be slower, and some counters or functions could be minimally staffed or temporarily unavailable due to employee participation in the strike. Proactive planning for transactions, cash withdrawals, and cheque clearances around February 12 is recommended to avoid inconvenience.
