Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 6: Employees of State Bank of India (SBI) have announced a two-day nationwide strike on May 25 and 26, raising concerns over possible disruption in banking services for millions of customers across the country.

The protest, led by employee unions representing workmen staff, revolves around 16 key demands related to pension benefits, staffing shortages, recruitment, service conditions, and employee welfare.

SBI, the country’s largest public sector bank with over 500 million customers, operates an extensive network of branches and digital platforms. Any large-scale employee agitation is likely to impact its routine operations.

Among the main demands is the option for employees under the National Pension System (NPS) to choose their pension fund managers, along with calls for pension parity and improved retirement benefits. Unions have also flagged concerns over staff shortages, increasing workload, and delays in resolving long-pending issues.

The charter of demands includes adequate recruitment, filling of vacancies, reduction in workload pressure, better promotion and transfer policies, improved medical and welfare benefits, resolution of salary anomalies, and strengthening of grievance redressal mechanisms.

If the strike proceeds as planned, branch-based services are expected to be affected on both days. Customers may face delays in cash transactions, cheque clearance, loan processing, account opening, and other in-branch services.

However, digital banking services such as YONO, UPI, internet banking, mobile banking, and ATMs are expected to remain operational, though minor delays cannot be ruled out.

As of now, the strike is scheduled only for two days, but further escalation cannot be ruled out if talks between unions and management fail.

Customers have been advised to complete essential banking work in advance to avoid inconvenience during the strike period.