The Bank Karmachari Sena Mahasangh (BKSM) has officially stated its position regarding the ongoing strike call in the banking sector. While expressing strong support for the demands of bank employees, the union has rejected the idea of participating in a short-duration strike, arguing that brief protests have not been effective in achieving meaningful results in the past. Instead, BKSM has declared its support for an indefinite strike, believing that a prolonged protest will put greater pressure on the authorities to address employee concerns.
Key Demands of BKSM
BKSM has outlined several important issues that need immediate attention to improve the working conditions and job security of banking employees. These include:
- Implementation of a five-day work week in the banking industry – Currently, bank employees work six days a week (except on alternate Saturdays). The demand for a five-day work week has been a long-standing issue, with employees arguing that it will improve work-life balance, reduce stress, and enhance productivity.
- Adequate recruitment and regularization of temporary employees – Many banks face a shortage of staff, leading to increased workload and pressure on existing employees. The union is demanding the recruitment of sufficient staff across all levels and the regularization of temporary employees who have been working on contract for extended periods.
- Prompt filling of vacant positions – Many positions in banks remain vacant for long periods, affecting efficiency and customer service. BKSM insists that vacancies must be filled quickly to ensure smooth operations.
- Safety and protection of bank officers and staff – Bank employees, especially those working at branches, often face assaults and abuse from customers and the public over service-related issues. The union has called for stricter security measures and better protection for banking staff to ensure their safety.
- Withdrawal of recent DFS directives on performance review and PLI – The Department of Financial Services (DFS) has introduced new directives regarding performance-linked incentives (PLI) and employee performance reviews. BKSM argues that these directives:
- Threaten job security by linking employment to strict performance targets.
- Create division and discrimination among employees and officers.
The union is demanding an immediate withdrawal of these directives to protect employees’ rights.
- Pension updates and inclusion of special allowance for superannuation – BKSM has also raised concerns about pension benefits, demanding that a special allowance be included in superannuation calculations to ensure better financial security for retired bank employees.
BKSM Opposes One-Day Strikes, Calls for Indefinite Protest
While supporting the employees’ demands, BKSM has made it clear that it does not favor participating in one-day or short-duration strikes. The union explained that in the past, such strikes have failed to bring about meaningful change, as authorities tend to ignore them or treat them as minor disruptions.
Instead, BKSM has strongly advocated for an indefinite strike, believing that a long-term protest will put significant pressure on the government and banking authorities to address employee grievances.
Impact on Banking Sector
If the indefinite strike materializes, it could lead to serious disruptions in banking services across the country. Customers may face delays in transactions, loan processing, and other essential banking operations. The union, however, believes that this collective action is necessary to push for long-overdue reforms that will benefit both employees and the banking sector in the long run.
BKSM General Secretary Vinod Nikam has assured employees that the union will continue to fight for their rights and that their participation in the indefinite strike will send a strong message to the authorities.
With banking operations at risk of major disruptions, all eyes are now on the government and banking management to see whether they will engage in meaningful discussions to resolve the concerns raised by BKSM and other unions.
