Silchar: Banking services across the Barak Valley are likely to be disrupted on May 25 and 26 after the All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) announced a two-day nationwide strike to protest what it termed the bank management’s “indifferent attitude” towards employees’ long-pending demands.Addressing a press conference in Silchar, AISBISF deputy general secretary Soumen Roy Choudhury and zonal secretary Animesh Roy said all branches under the SBI Silchar Zone would observe complete work cessation during the strike period.The federation alleged that despite repeated discussions with the management, employees’ concerns remain unresolved. Roy Choudhury claimed that bank staff are working under immense pressure due to acute manpower shortages, resulting in physical and mental stress among employees. He also raised concerns over workplace security, alleging that several branches are functioning without adequate safety arrangements.Among the key demands placed by the federation are the immediate recruitment of messengers and armed guards, adequate staffing in all branches, and an end to the outsourcing of work meant for permanent employees. The federation also protested against the widening wage gap between officers and general staff, alleging that officers have received special allowances leading to a significant salary hike while subordinate employees were left out.The staff body further demanded freedom for NPS-enrolled employees to choose pension fund managers, restoration of inter-circle transfer facilities for staff recruited after 2019, and implementation of an improved medical reimbursement scheme.Federation leaders said the agitation had already begun with lunch-hour demonstrations, poster campaigns, and social media outreach programmes since May 2. They warned that the movement would be intensified if the management failed to respond positively to their demands.The proposed strike is expected to affect cash transactions, cheque clearance, and other banking services across the Barak Valley, causing inconvenience to customers.
