Report by Kamgar Ekta Committee (KEC) correspondent
State Bank of India (SBI) employees will go on a nationwide strike on 25 and 26 May 2026. The All India State Bank of India Staff Federation (AISBISF) said repeated discussions with and appeals to the management have not led to any meaningful action, which has now forced employees to escalate their protest.
Employee concerns have been building up for several years. The AISBISF said that administrative decisions inside the bank have gradually affected working conditions and created dissatisfaction among emloyees across different levels. The current policies are affecting job security and stability at work. Employees feel long-term issues are being ignored, which has led to growing frustration among them.
The Federation also pointed out the change in staffing policy. More jobs are being handled through outsourcing instead of permanent hiring. Another major concern raised is the long freeze on recruitment in certain entry-level positions. The federation says this has eliminated opportunities for basic support roles and weakened the traditional workforce structure of the bank. It has also raised concerns about staffing levels across branches, saying workload has increased sharply while recruitment has not kept pace in recent years.
The AISBISF has submitted 16 demands to improve service conditions.
The Federation has demanded more flexibility in pension options under the National Pension System (NPS). It also wants better transfer policies, especially for employees who joined after 2019. Another key demand includes inclusion of all pay components in pension calculations for certain retirees. The federation says this will ensure fair post-retirement benefits for long-serving employees.
Other demands include changes to career growth plans, fixes in the HRMS system and clearer service rules. The Federation said these steps are needed to ensure fair growth for employees.
The AISBISF has also raised concerns about mis-selling practices linked to cross-selling financial products. According to the Federation, such practices create pressure on employees and may affect customer trust in the banking system.
SBI employees plan to organize dharnas at key offices on 18 May. On 19 May, they will submit a memorandum to the finance minister outlining their demands. The AISBISF will also submit another memorandum to the Prime Minister on 21 May.