Nationwide Strike Planned on February 24-25
The All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC) has announced a two-day nationwide strike on February 24-25. To address the potential impact, the government has formed a steering committee that includes representatives from state-run banks and private lender IDBI Bank.
“The group aims to protect the banking system from disruptions, including strikes,” said a senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official clarified that the group’s formation is not specifically tied to the February strike but is a broader measure to prepare for any uncertainties.
Crisis Management Plan (CMP) in Place
A bank executive explained that a Crisis Management Plan (CMP) has been developed. The steering committee will work with individual banks to create tailored SOPs based on their geographical presence and critical services.
The government has established a crisis management group to address nationwide strikes by public sector bank employees. The group will handle emergencies during strikes lasting three days or more and work with banks to strengthen Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for business continuity, according to a senior government official.
Nationwide Strike Planned on February 24-25
The All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC) has announced a two-day nationwide strike on February 24-25. To address the potential impact, the government has formed a steering committee that includes representatives from state-run banks and private lender IDBI Bank.
“The group aims to protect the banking system from disruptions, including strikes,” said a senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official clarified that the group’s formation is not specifically tied to the February strike but is a broader measure to prepare for any uncertainties.
Crisis Management Plan (CMP) in Place
A bank executive explained that a Crisis Management Plan (CMP) has been developed. The steering committee will work with individual banks to create tailored SOPs based on their geographical presence and critical services.
Key components of the CMP include:
- Replenishment of ATMs
- Uninterrupted branch services
- Seamless online banking operations
If the planned strike proceeds, banks could remain closed for four consecutive days, including February 22 (fourth Saturday) and February 23 (Sunday), followed by the two-day strike.
Previous Strikes and Current Demands
The last major bank strike occurred in December 2021, when over 900,000 employees participated in a two-day protest against the government’s privatization plans for public sector banks.
For the February strike, the AIBOC has made the following demands:
- Implementation of a five-day work week in the banking sector.
- Withdrawal of recent directives by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) on performance reviews and performance-linked incentives, which the union claims threaten job security and undermine the autonomy of state-run banks.
The AIBOC has warned that these measures create divisions among employees and destabilize the working environment in the banking industry.
Implications for Customers
If the strike goes ahead, it could cause significant inconvenience to customers due to the prolonged closure of banks. However, the government’s crisis management efforts aim to minimize disruptions and ensure critical banking services remain operational.
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