Banking services across India are set to be disrupted for two consecutive days as bank unions have announced a nationwide strike on March 24 and 25, 2025. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of nine bank employee unions, has called for the strike over multiple demands.
Why Are Bank Employees Striking?
The bank unions have raised several key concerns, including:
- Implementation of a Five-Day Work Week
- Adequate Recruitment in All Cadres to address staff shortages
- Filling of Employee/Officer Director Positions in Public Sector Banks (PSBs)
- Withdrawal of Performance-Based Incentives introduced by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), which they claim threaten job security
- Increased Autonomy for Public Sector Banks, reducing DFS interference
- Amendment of the Gratuity Act to increase the gratuity limit to ₹25 lakh, similar to government employees
- Resolution of Pending Issues with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA)
Which Bank Unions Are Involved?
The UFBU represents nine major banking unions, including:
- All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA)
- All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC)
- National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE)
- All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA)
- Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI)
How Will the Strike Impact You?
- Banking services such as cash deposits, withdrawals, cheque clearances, and loan approvals may be affected.
- Online banking and ATM services may function normally, but branch-level transactions could be delayed.
- If you have any important banking work, it is advisable to complete it before March 24 to avoid inconvenience.
Final Thoughts
The UFBU has taken a strong stance on these demands, citing concerns over job security, workload, and financial benefits. If the strike goes ahead as planned, it could significantly impact banking operations across India. Will the government intervene, or will the banks give in to the demands? Stay tuned for updates!
