Meeting held between UFBU, IBA, Labour Commissioner; Read decision on 5 Day Banking and other issues

Today, August 11, 2025, the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), representatives of major bank unions, and representatives from the Ministry of Labour & Employment held a conciliation meeting to discuss important issues that affect bank employees, such as hiring, PLI, branch security, and the long-standing demand for five-day banking. The Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner presided over the meeting, which started with a review of the minutes from the June 17, 2025, meeting.

The IBA informed that a meeting on recruitment and PLI was held in Delhi on August 10, 2025, but no final decision was reached. However, both sides said talks were progressing positively and expressed hope of reaching an amicable solution soon.

Regarding employee safety, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and IBA said they had previously written to state governments, requesting that they take decisive action to stop attacks or threats against bank employees in the future. Although the unions accepted these actions, they maintained that hiring armed branch guards was the only practical way to guarantee bank employees' safety. They cautioned that similar incidents are unlikely to cease in the absence of armed guards.

Union representatives expressed anger and frustration over the government’s inaction on the demand for five-day banking. They said that despite repeated discussions, 5 day banking has not been implemented and warned that they might be forced to announce strike.

It was agreed to hold at least one meeting each month to continue the bipartite discussions on PLI and recruitment. The Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) will get the minutes of these sessions for their records. The IBA would advise bank management to take the necessary actions in response to the unions' requests on the security issue. The CLC(C) has already written to the Secretary, DFS, requesting prompt action on five-day banking. They will send out another reminder to get updates. October 15, 2025, at 11:30 AM, has been set as the date of the next conciliation meeting.

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Bank Unions and Management Held a Conciliation Meeting Today; Talks about PLI and 5 Days Banking

 

With reference to the information in the conciliation minutes dated April 29, 2025, the parties' discussions have begun today. As stated in the final paragraph of the conciliation proceedings on April 29, 2025, it is noted at the outset that the representatives from the Bank of Maharashtra, State Bank of India (later one representative joined, but not at the proper level), Central Bank of India, UCO Bank, and IOB (later one representative joined, but not at the proper level) were once more absent. In order to ensure that their representatives of the proper level are always sent, it was agreed to write a letter to the top management of each bank.

All other issues contained in the conciliation proceedings dated 29.04.2025 were also reviewed with following outcomes:

All other issues contained in the conciliation proceedings dated 29.04.2025 were also reviewed with following outcomes:

What Bank Unions Said? What happened in Meeting

(i) There was an improvement in the matter of PLI as intimated by the Ld. Representative of DFS that it is proposed to give flexibility to the banks’ board for identification of officers in different brackets in each scale, within the ambit of the PLI scheme. However, the Ld. Representatives of unions were not agreed. Accordingly, after marathon discussion it is agreed that representatives of union and the IBA to discuss the issue threadbare at bipartite level and come up with certain proposal within the ambit of the scheme. 

Such proposal shall be submitted to the DFS for review of the present scheme in the light of the proposal so that a consensus may be arrived at in order to maintain smooth and cordial relation in the industry. At this juncture, it is expected that all the banks shall cooperate by not implementing the PLI scheme for any scale till the outcome of the discussions.

The committee/the group so created for discussion on the issue of the PLI is also mandated to discuss the issue of outsourcing / recruitment of sub-staff and submit a report.

(ii) So far recruitment and the data in this regard is concerned, some of the banks have submitted but lack of consistency and uniformity is observed. Accordingly, the committee/group so created for discussion on PLI is also advised to collect the data on recruitment in an appropriate format so that consistency and uniformity is maintained and submit the same on the next date of hearing.

(iii) Despite issue of a letter by DFS to all the Chief Secretaries of the States to look into the security issue of banks against attack on bank staffs, one fresh instance of attack at Dhule in State Bank of India has been reported which is not only unwarranted rather painful and unbearable. In view of this fact, IBA is requested to advise all the Banks to take immediate steps to avoid any such occurrences in future.

(iv) The issues related to 5 days banking, the matter discussed in length, a D.O. letter bearing No. 21(17)/2025-IR dated 16.06.2025 has already been sent to the Secretary, DFS. The representative of DFS informed that the issue is under consideration of the Government.

The next date of conciliation proceedings is fixed on 11.08.2025 at 11.30 AM.

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Bank Management is not serious about resolving issues, says Chief Labour Commissioner

Under the direction of the Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, a conciliation meeting was conducted today (April 29, 2025) to settle ongoing conflicts between management and public sector bank unions. The purpose of the meeting was to ensure good labor relations and to address a number of important requests. All participants were greeted by the CLC, which also urged them to collaborate and seek a peaceful resolution.

Concern Over Lack of Commitment by Bank Managements

The CLC expressed disappointment that many bank managements are not taking the conciliation meetings seriously. Despite repeated advice, some banks are not sending senior officials who can make decisions. This attitude not only disrespects the authority of the CLC but also delays the process of finding a fair solution.

All banks have again been advised to depute senior officers who can actively participate and help reach settlements.

Conclusion and Next Meeting

The CLC urged all stakeholders to continue discussions at the bipartite level (between unions and management) and try to solve issues amicably. The next conciliation meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2025, at 11:30 AM.

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Bank Unions met with IBA on 23 April, Read what about 5 Day Banking & other residual points

On April 23, 2025, Bank Unions met with IBA to address a number of concerns, including the Revised PLI plan, 5-Day Banking, and other matters.

What discussions were held about 5 Day Banking?

The establishment of five-day banking was considered by the bank unions and IBA. According to several sources, the government opposes five-day banking, the bank unions told IBA. The unions will have to go on strike once more if this is the case. According to IBA, they are pursuing the issue with DFS.

The key question, however, is how long the IBA will talk to the government on five-day banking. The conversations have continued for more than a year. Also on April 23, 2025, no solid discussion was held regarding 5 Day Banking. Like all other meetings, this time also IBA tried to liaison with bank unions in order to defer strike. AIBEA has released minutes of meetings which are as follows:

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UFBU and IBA meeting postponed

The Conciliation meeting between UFBU and IBA that was scheduled to be held on 22 April has been postponed to 30 April.Bank Employees are protesting against non-fulfillment of demands such as 5 Day Banking and adequate recruitment of staff. 

Earlier, meeting was held on 18.03.2025 but any decision would not be arrived at. So next meeting was scheduled for 21.03.2025. In that meeting, the strike was deferred and UFBU said that a consensus had been arrived for most of the demands.

What UFBU said in last meeting on 21.03.2025?

Serious negotiations on our demands began the morning before today's adjourned conciliation meeting. There were representatives from the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and the Indian Banks' Association (IBA).

The Finance Minister (FM) and the DFS Secretary had a fruitful conversation regarding the desire for five-day banking, according to the Joint Secretary of DFS, who joined the meeting via video chat.

The IBA suggested more talks on important topics like hiring, Performance-Linked Incentive (PLI), and other difficulties. The implementation of five-day banking is one of the topics that the Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) promised to personally monitor.

The adjourned meeting will take place again during the third week of April. It was agreed to delay the strike scheduled for the 24th and 25th by one or two months in light of these encouraging developments.

All units are hereby informed that the strike has been postponed, and a detailed circular will be issued soon.

Key Demands Raised by Bank Employees

• Adequate Recruitment: Address the shortage of staff across all cadres in banks.
• Five-Day Work Week: Implement a five-day work week for the banking industry.
• Withdrawal of DFS Directives: Demand the immediate withdrawal of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) directives on performance reviews and the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which threaten job security, create divisions among employees, and undermine the autonomy of public sector banks (PSBs).
• Safety of Bank Staff: Ensure protection for bank officers and staff against customer assaults and abuses.
• Fill Vacant Posts: Expedite the appointment of workmen and officer directors in PSBs.
• Resolution of Pending Issues: Resolve residual issues with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
• Amend the Gratuity Act: Increase the gratuity ceiling to ₹25 lakhs, similar to government employees’ schemes, and provide income tax exemptions.

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New Chairman and Deputy Chairman elected in IBA

According to a release, CS Setty, the chairman of State Bank of India (SBI), has been chosen as the next chairman of the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) governing committee. Tools for managing finances 

 In addition, Madhav Nair from Bank of Bahrain & Kuwait B.S.C., MD A. Manimekhalai, and MD Swarup Kumar Saha from Punjab & Sind Bank have been named Deputy Chairmen of IBA. B. Ramesh Babu, MD of Karur Vysya Bank, has been chosen to serve as Honorary Secretary. 

 Atul Kumar Goel, a former MD of Punjab National Bank, was appointed CEO of IBA earlier this month, replacing Sunil Mehta. On important sectoral issues, the IBA, the trade association for public and private sector banks, helps bankers and the banking regulator consult.

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Latest Update on Bank Strike: Reconciliation Meeting Held Today

 
A reconciliation conference involving the IBA, bank associations, and bank management was held today. This conference was attended by the labor commissioner and the management of all public sector banks. On March 24 and 25, 2025, Bank employees announced a strike, prompting the demand for the reconciliation meeting. 

 Due to demands like 5-day banking not being met, the bank associations have declared a strike. The meeting was place today, but no agreement could be reached. Therefore, the next meeting is scheduled for March 21, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. 

 The CLC office was the location of the meeting. The bank management, DFS, and IBA were all present. Every topic was covered. Regarding the concerns, particularly recruitment, 5-day banking, and unilateral PLI, there was no improvement.

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Latest Bipartite Settlement News - IBA agreed to form three sub-committees and discussions start

 

Today's meeting with IBA under chairmanship of Sri Rajneesh Karnatak Ji, UFBU discussed Charter of Demands for 12th Bipartite Settlement. UFBU discussed all points which was submitted earlier to IBA. 

IBA and management listened all points positively.

 

They agreed to form three sub-committees to expedite settlement and try to finish it by Dec 23.

 

From IBA side Sri Gopal Murali Bhagat Ji, Sri Brajeshwar Sharma Ji and from Management side CGM HR of Bank of Baroda, Indian Bank, Bank of India, and GM HR of Bank of Maharashtra, UCO Bank were present. 

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