Bank Unions Talk Stir Over Vrs Fallout

The All India Bank Officers' Association (Aiboa) and the All India Bank Employees' Association (Aibea) have threatened to launch an agitation to press for immediate recruitments and promotions in view of the "tremendous pressure" on the existing workforce in the aftermath of the successful implementation of the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) in the public sector banking industry. The agitation will culminate in a one-day strike next month.

The two unions have also called for immediate steps to be taken by the managements of the three weak PSBs -- Indian Bank, Uco Bank and United Bank of India -- for payment of wage revision arrears to their employees.

 

The exit of nearly one-sixth of the total workforce due to VRS, coupled with the recruitment freeze in the last 10 years has affected customer service due to increased workload on the existing employees, said the representatives of Aiboa and Aibea.

The demand for recruitment comes despite the fact that the banks are not allowed to fill up vacancies arising out VRS.

They pointed out that the huge outgo of about Rs 10,000 crore through ex-gratia payment to send out 1,25,000 employees of the public sector banking system had constrained the resources position of the banks. Though the PSBs have reduced the establishment cost by about Rs 1,500 crore annually, there was no cap on other overheads.

"In many banks, manpower budgeting done prior to unveiling the VRS has not been adhered to as they accepted almost all the applications, thereby leaving existing workforce to shoulder unbearable workload," union members said.

"In view of 60,000 officers, 40,000 staff and 25,000 sub-staff retiring, there is a need to recruit as many hands immediately and promote existing officers to higher levels, to motivate them to retain existing customer service standards," they said.