The proposed two-day nationwide strike by public sector bank employees on March 24-25 remains on track after a conciliation meeting held today at the Chief Labour Commissioner’s (CLC) office failed to yield any resolution.
The meeting, attended by representatives from the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), the Department of Financial Services (DFS), and bank managements, saw discussions on key demands raised by bank unions, including large-scale recruitment, the implementation of a five-day banking week, and objections to the unilateral performance-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.
However, union leaders stated that there was “no positive outcome” on any of the major issues. “All our issues were discussed, but there was no understanding reached. The talks have been adjourned to March 21. We are proceeding with strike preparations,” said C.H. Venkatachalam, General Secretary of the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA).
The failure of negotiations sets the stage for intensified protests by bank unions, who have long argued that severe staff shortages in public sector banks (PSBs) are straining operations and affecting service quality.
This latest development follows a recent controversy over staffing numbers after the Finance Ministry claimed that 95% of clerical and sub-staff positions in PSBs are filled based on business requirements—an assertion strongly contested by unions.
With no immediate resolution in sight, all eyes are now on the March 21 meeting, which could be the last opportunity to avert the strike. If no breakthrough is achieved, banking services across the country are likely to be disrupted next week.