SBI may remain closed for 6 days from tomorrow:Employees threaten strike, raise 16 demands, including HRMS and medical issues

Customers of the country’s largest government bank SBI should complete all their important branch-related work by end of 22 May, Friday itself. This is because SBI branches may remain closed continuously for 6 days between 23 May to 28 May 2026. The main reasons for this are the weekend, a proposed two-day strike by employees, and two days of holidays declared by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for Bakrid (Eid-ul-Adha). Know why SBI banks may remain closed between 23 to 28 May There are different reasons for banking operations being affected between 23 May to 28 May… Why SBI Employees Want to Go on Strike The All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) has announced a strike for its 16 demands. This strike has been called to protect employees’ rights, establish better working conditions, and keep customers’ interests in mind. What Will Be the Impact of the Strike? Since this strike is by the ‘Workmen Category’ (clerks and other staff), work such as cheque clearing, cash counters, and passbook updates may come to a halt. 16 Major Demands of SBI Employees New Recruitment of Messengers: Immediate permanent recruitment should be done for vacant Class IV (Messengers) positions in the bank. Recruitment of Armed Guards: Adequate armed guards should be appointed for the bank’s security and branch requirements. Option Facility in NPS: Employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) should be given the freedom to choose their ‘Pension Fund Manager’. Inter Circle Transfer (ICT): Employees recruited after 2019 should be given the opportunity to transfer to other circles. Ban on Outsourcing: Outsourcing of permanent nature work to external agencies should be stopped immediately. Adequate Staff Recruitment: Considering the increasing workload in all branches, adequate number of employees should be recruited. Issue of Parity: Inequalities in salary and other facilities among employees in State Bank should be removed. Review of Career Progression Scheme: Existing policies related to employee promotion and career growth should be improved. Benefits to Retired Employees: Employees retired under the 10th Bipartite Settlement should be given the benefit of ‘8th Stagnation Increment’. Consultation Charge: Review and improvement of physician consultation charges applicable from 15 July 2024. Medical Scheme Improvement: The Medical Reimbursement Scheme should be made better and simpler. Addition of All Allowances in Pension: All components of salary should be included in the pension calculation of employees retired under the 7th Bipartite Settlement. Resolution of HRMS Issues: Technical difficulties occurring in the bank’s HR software (HRMS) should be permanently fixed. Appointment of Employee Director: The old tradition of appointing a director from the workmen category to the bank’s board should be restored. Nomination of PF Trustee: Employee representatives should be appointed to the Provident Fund (PF) Trust. Curb on Mis-selling: The practice of pressuring employees in the name of ‘cross-selling’ (selling insurance, mutual funds, etc.) to sell wrong products to customers should be stopped.