Bank unions have called on the government to prioritise regular employment over contractual hiring, days after the four Labour Codes came into effect, PTI reported. The unions said permanent jobs are essential for employee welfare and long-term social security, especially for young workers entering the sector.
According to PTI, representatives of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) met Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju and raised multiple pending issues affecting bank staff. These included the long-standing demand for five-day banking, appointments of Workman and Officer Directors, and the need to step up recruitment of clerical staff, substaff and security personnel. The unions also pressed for pension updation, describing it as a critical unresolved matter.
“We pointed out that the youth of our country need regular and permanent jobs and hence the labour laws should promote the same instead of encouraging contractual jobs,” UFBU said in a statement after the meeting, as quoted by PTI.
UFBU added that while certain procedures under existing labour laws require simplification, such steps should not weaken established labour rights. The government’s recent notification to implement the four Labour Codes—consolidating 29 labour laws—has triggered apprehensions among trade unions over the possible impact on job security and social protections.
PTI reported that the unions stressed the need for wider consultations. They said changes in labour regulations must align with evolving economic conditions but should only be implemented after discussions with Central Trade Unions. According to UFBU, the Labour Ministry should reopen dialogue with unions to ensure that any reform is carried out through a transparent and consultative process.
(With inputs from PTI)
According to PTI, representatives of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) met Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju and raised multiple pending issues affecting bank staff. These included the long-standing demand for five-day banking, appointments of Workman and Officer Directors, and the need to step up recruitment of clerical staff, substaff and security personnel. The unions also pressed for pension updation, describing it as a critical unresolved matter.
“We pointed out that the youth of our country need regular and permanent jobs and hence the labour laws should promote the same instead of encouraging contractual jobs,” UFBU said in a statement after the meeting, as quoted by PTI.
UFBU added that while certain procedures under existing labour laws require simplification, such steps should not weaken established labour rights. The government’s recent notification to implement the four Labour Codes—consolidating 29 labour laws—has triggered apprehensions among trade unions over the possible impact on job security and social protections.
PTI reported that the unions stressed the need for wider consultations. They said changes in labour regulations must align with evolving economic conditions but should only be implemented after discussions with Central Trade Unions. According to UFBU, the Labour Ministry should reopen dialogue with unions to ensure that any reform is carried out through a transparent and consultative process.
(With inputs from PTI)
