- Hindi News
- Business
- Bank Strike Update | UFBU 5 Day Banking Protest & PLI Scheme Controversy
1 hour ago
- copy link
file photo
Bank employees and officers across the country may go on strike in September and October. The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has announced a nationwide strike in a phased manner in the months of September and October for its two main demands.
The main demands of the bank unions are to approve work for 5 days a week and withdrawal of the new performance-linked incentive i.e. PLI scheme implemented by the government. If the government and bank management do not accept the demands, then an indefinite strike will start in banks across the country from October 26.
Approval on 5-day banking stuck for 2 years
UFBU says that on March 8, 2024, the 12th bilateral agreement and 9th joint note was signed with the Indian Banks Association i.e. IBA. In this, it was agreed to implement 5-day banking. Under this, employees will work 40 minutes more every day from Monday to Friday.
IBA had approved this proposal and sent it to the Central Government, but even after more than two years, it has not received approval from the Finance Ministry.
What is 5-Day Banking Offer?
- At present there is a holiday in banks on the second and fourth Saturday of the month.
- After the implementation of the new proposal, every Saturday will be a holiday.
- Instead, working hours will increase by 40 minutes per day from Monday to Friday.
Controversy over new PLI scheme: Senior officers benefit, lower staff discriminated against
The unions have opposed the new PLI guidelines issued by the Department of Financial Services of the Finance Ministry. Unions allege that the scheme is discriminatory:
- Officers in Scale IV and above: Based on individual performance, PLI equal to basic pay up to 365 days will be available.
- Workmen and Employees of Scale I to III: They will get only basic pay + DA for maximum 15 days.
UFBU argues that PLI should be based solely on the overall performance of the bank and all employees up to Scale VII should get the same number of days incentive. This new rule is a violation of the agreement between the IBA and the unions.
The matter reached Delhi High Court and Labor Commissioner
The dispute regarding the PLI scheme is now pending before the Chief Labor Commissioner under the conciliation process. Apart from this, this matter has also been challenged in the Delhi High Court. The unions have demanded that the incentive scheme be amended through bilateral negotiations.
Demand for pension updation and OPS also
Apart from the main reasons for the strike, bank unions have also re-raised several old demands:
- Pension updation and reforms for all pensioners.
- Uniform dearness allowance formula for all retired employees.
- Option to switch to Old Pension Scheme for employees covered under NPS.
Source link
[ad_3]
