Kolkata, 08 November 2025 :
The Bengal Provincial Banks’ Contract Employees’ Association (BPBCEA) held its 4th Annual Conference today at Rani Rashmoni Road, Kolkata. The event saw massive participation from bank contract employees across multiple public sector banks including SBI, PNB, Bank of India, and Central Bank of India, along with representatives from cooperative and private sector banks.The conference, affiliated with the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) and Bengal Provincial Bank Employees’ Association (BPBEA), reflected on the long-standing struggle for the rights of contractual and outsourced banking staff, who have been an integral part of the banking ecosystem since 1996.
The inaugural session was graced by Com. Rajen Nagar, President of AIBEA, who emphasised the government’s responsibility to ensure job security and fair wages for all categories of banking employees. He condemned the growing privatisation and outsourcing trend in the banking sector, stating that it undermines both worker welfare and national financial security.
BPBCEA General Secretary Shayebuddin Molla strongly criticised the government’s policies favouring foreign ownership and corporate profit over public interest. He said, “Our country’s economy was built on public sector banks that uplifted rural India, farmers, small industries, and the poor. But the privatisation drive and sale of national assets threaten this foundation.”
He highlighted that between 2008 and now, India’s banking policies have shifted towards corporate control, leading to closure of rural branches, staff reductions, and rising unemployment among skilled youth.
The association also raised serious concerns about:
- Unchecked privatisation of nationalised banks.
- Job insecurity among contractual and outsourced employees.
- Erosion of labour rights and benefits.
- Rising banking frauds and non-performing assets (NPAs) due to corporate loan defaults.
BPBCEA leaders warned that the government’s push for merging banks and disinvestment is weakening India’s public banking system. They demanded the immediate reversal of policies that prioritise profit over people.
Key Demands Raised at the Conference
- Enactment of a New Labour Law to safeguard the rights of contractual and outsourced workers.
- Minimum Wage of ₹40,000 per month for all bank contract employees.
- Introduction of a New Agricultural Policy ensuring protection for farmers and rural workers.
- Stop Privatisation and Foreign Investment in public sector banks.
- Nationalisation of Private and Foreign Banks to strengthen the economy.
- Permanent Recruitment of Bank Support Staff to replace contract positions.
- Absorption of Outsourced Employees into regular positions.
- Waiver of Service Charges on small customer transactions.
- Formation of a Central Monitoring Committee for outsourced bank workers.
- Implementation of a Comprehensive Welfare Policy for all contractual employees in the banking sector.
BPBCEA concluded the session with a strong resolution to intensify their nationwide movement under the leadership of AIBEA and BPBEA. The leaders vowed to continue their struggle for “Secure Jobs, Fair Wages, and Financial Sovereignty” — pledging to protect the dignity of labour and the interests of India’s banking workforce.
