Dharamshala bank staff join nationwide stir over five-day week, pension issues

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Union leaders cite long-pending demands, seek parity in performance-linked incentives; further protests planned from September 28

Dharamshala, September 11

Bank employees in Dharamshala joined the nationwide one-day strike on Friday over long-pending demands, including implementation of a five-day banking week, parity in performance-linked incentives (PLI) and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for employees recruited after 2010.

Raj Kumar Gautam, general secretary of the Himachal Bank Employees Federation and PNB Staff Union, said five-day banking had remained a key demand since it was first raised during the 10th Bipartite Settlement in 2015.

He said employees had been assured that the system would be introduced after the second and fourth Saturdays were declared holidays. However, the demand remained unresolved despite subsequent bipartite settlements.

The unions have also sought parity in PLI, alleging disparities between incentives paid to senior officials and other employees. They have demanded implementation of the Old Pension Scheme for employees recruited after 2010 and the revision of pensions for retirees covered under earlier pay structures.

Gautam said the five-day banking proposal had been pending with the Centre and that discussions had been held with the Finance Ministry, the Department of Financial Services and employee representatives, but no final decision had been taken.

The unions have announced further industrial action, including a three-day strike from September 28 to 30 and a proposed indefinite strike from October 26, if their demands remain unresolved.

Gautam urged the government to resolve the issues through dialogue, saying employees would intensify the agitation if no positive decision was taken.