In a significant display of unity and concern, employees of the Himachal Pradesh Gramin Bank gathered outside the bank’s head office on Monday to voice their frustrations. The Himachal Pradesh Gramin Bank Employees Union and the Himachal Pradesh Gramin Bank Officers Organization have accused the bank’s management of neglecting rules and pressuring staff members, leading to a growing discontent among employees.
The Demonstration
The protest aimed to highlight various issues that the employees feel have been ignored by the bank’s management, including demands for better working conditions and fair treatment. The union representatives, including Union Secretary Vishal, made it clear that these issues need immediate attention. They announced plans for a one-day strike on October 2 and a larger protest outside the Punjab National Bank (PNB) head office in Delhi on November 18 if their concerns are not addressed. Himachal Gramin Bank is sponsored by Punjab National Bank with 35% ownership.
Concerns Raised by Employees
One of the critical issues raised during the demonstration was the alleged tampering with salary payments for cleaning staff, known as Safai Karamcharis. According to Vishal, the management has made changes to their payment structure that require immediate restoration to ensure that these workers receive their fair wages. He emphasized that these employees have been working for years with minimal pay, and their situation should not be overlooked.
Additionally, the employees pointed out that recent promotion and transfer processes have not followed the established rules. This disregard for proper procedures has added to the pressure on staff members, affecting their morale and overall job satisfaction.
Wage Agreement and Implementation Issues
A major point of contention is the implementation of the 12th wage agreement for rural banks, issued by the Government of India. According to the agreement, wages in rural banks should be on par with those in public sector banks. However, the employees claim that the management of Himachal Pradesh Gramin Bank has implemented these guidelines only partially and incorrectly, which has caused frustration among the staff.
The union is also disappointed that issues previously agreed upon between the bank management and the employees have not been acted upon. They insist that the management needs to provide additional facilities and benefits that are comparable to those offered by the sponsoring bank.
Call for Action
The union’s protest is a call for action, urging the bank management to take their demands seriously and rectify the issues at hand. Employees are determined to stand together to ensure their rights are respected and that they receive fair treatment in the workplace.
As the situation develops, the employees of Himachal Pradesh Gramin Bank are hoping for a resolution that acknowledges their concerns and leads to positive changes within the organization. With their planned strike and protests, they are making it clear that they will not back down until their voices are heard and their rights upheld.
