📅 Date of Update: June 17, 2025
🗂️ Source: Ministry of Labour & Employment – Office of Chief Labour Commissioner (C)
📝 F. No. 21(17)/2025-IR
The Ministry of Labour & Employment, under the Office of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), held a key conciliation meeting on June 17, 2025 (F. No. 21(17)/2025-IR) to address several unresolved issues impacting public sector bank employees. The session revisited the discussions held on April 29, 2025, and took crucial steps toward resolving disputes concerning PLI, recruitment, staff security, and the long-standing demand for a 5-day workweek.
Key Issues and Outcomes from the Meeting:
1. Absence of Bank Representatives Noted
It was observed that several major public sector banks including Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India, UCO Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, and State Bank of India either did not attend or failed to send appropriately ranked officials. This negligence was flagged, and a decision was taken to issue letters to apex-level management of these banks, insisting on full participation by suitable representatives in future proceedings.
2. Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) – Deferred Implementation.
The Department of Financial Services (DFS) informed the gathering about a proposed change in the PLI framework, offering greater flexibility to bank boards to decide on officer categorization within the existing scheme. However, trade unions opposed this move.
After detailed discussions, it was mutually agreed that:
Unions and IBA will hold bipartite talks to examine the PLI structure thoroughly.
A joint proposal is to be submitted to DFS for further review.
All banks have been advised not to implement the existing PLI scheme until the outcome of the revised discussions is finalized.
3. Committee Formed for PLI, Outsourcing & Sub-Staff Recruitment
A committee/group has been constituted to:
Continue discussions on the PLI framework
Deliberate on outsourcing practices and sub-staff recruitment
Collect and submit standardized recruitment data from all banks to ensure transparency and uniformity
4. Recruitment Data Inconsistencies Identified
Though some banks have provided recruitment information, inconsistencies and lack of standardization were found. The committee has been tasked with creating a uniform format to collect accurate data from all institutions. Final data will be reviewed in the next hearing.
5. Alarming Attack on Bank Staff in Dhule, Maharashtra
Despite previous communication from DFS to all State Chief Secretaries to enhance security for bank staff, a fresh incident of violence was reported from SBI’s Dhule branch. The CLC has described the incident as painful and unacceptable.
The IBA has been asked to instruct all banks to implement immediate safety protocols and take preventive measures to avoid recurrence of such events.
6. Five-Day Banking Week Demand Under Review
The demand for a 5-day banking week was discussed in depth. The CLC confirmed that a D.O. letter has already been sent to DFS on June 16, 2025. The DFS representative confirmed that the issue is currently under active consideration by the Government.
📅 Next Conciliation Hearing:
🗓️ August 11, 2025
🕦 Time: 11:30 AM
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