Nationwide Bank Strike from March 24-25 Over Work Conditions and Staff Shortage
Bank employees across India will go on a nationwide strike on March 24 and 25, 2025, following unsuccessful negotiations with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which represents nine major banking unions.
One of the primary demands of the unions is the implementation of a five-day workweek, arguing that the existing six-day schedule places excessive pressure on employees. Another major concern is the acute shortage of staff, which has increased workloads and affected service quality.
The unions are also pushing for job security, opposing performance-linked incentives, which they claim create unnecessary stress among employees. Additionally, they are demanding protection for bank staff against harassment and assaults by customers, a growing concern in the industry. Another key demand is to ensure that the government retains at least 51% equity in IDBI Bank to keep it under public sector control.
The strike will see participation from major banking unions, including the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC), National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE), and Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), among others. The unions believe that government policies are weakening public sector banks and creating divisions among employees.
With millions of employees expected to take part, the strike is likely to disrupt banking services nationwide. Customers are advised to complete their transactions in advance to avoid inconvenience. The unions have also warned that if their demands are not addressed, they may resort to extended protests and further strikes in the future.
