The All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) has voiced strong opposition to recent instructions issued by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), under the Ministry of Finance. These instructions pertain to the performance reviews of employees at State Bank of India (SBI) and other nationalised banks.
The directive mandates that bank managements periodically evaluate the performance of their employees and officers. There is also the potential for premature retirement for those deemed inefficient.
In a circular distributed to all office bearers, state federations, and bank organisations, AIBEA general secretary Ch. Venkatachalam called on employees and officers to prepare for resistance against what he characterised as an attack on job security. He stressed that these measures are intended to intimidate and terrorise the workforce. He further noted that previous attempts to undermine this security have been thwarted through vigilance and collective action.
The current directive allows for premature retirement of officers with three months’ notice or payment in lieu, while clerks and substaff can be retired with two months’ notice. The DFS has mandated that banks conduct monthly reviews and report the number of employees reviewed and those retired based on their evaluations.
The AIBEA general secretary criticised the government’s actions as provocative and intimidating, particularly given the existing pressures faced by employees. Many bank workers are already operating under significant stress due to a shortage of staff and inadequate recruitment in clerical and substaff positions.
The AIBEA has urged its unions to exercise caution and remain vigilant against any management attempts that threaten job security. As the situation unfolds, AIBEA is rallying support among bank employees to resist the perceived erosion of job security and maintain a supportive working environment amidst increasing pressures from management and external factors.