NOBO-BMS welcomes IOBOA to nationalist trade union family
The NOBO-BMS leadership has formally welcomed the Indian Overseas Bank Officers’ Association (IOBOA) into its nationalist ideology family, calling the affiliation a significant milestone in the shared mission to protect bank officers’ rights.
In a statement, NOBO-BMS said it welcomes IOBOA to India’s largest trade union family, which operates on the core ideological philosophy: “Nation First, Industry Second, Individual Last.”
BMS recognises trade unionism not as an instrument of division, but as a vital pillar of national solidarity. Driven by the motto “Nationalise the Labour, Labourise the Industry, Industrialise The Nation,” BMS champions a nationalist, independent, and productivity-oriented approach to workers’ rights rather than a state-controlled model.
Of the 44 industries classified by the Ministry of Labour for membership verification, BMS has affiliated unions in all industries. It reports membership of more than 2 crore across all States, comprising over 6,000 affiliate unions. BMS is not linked to any political party and is therefore independent of party politics.
Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh was chosen to host the L-20 in 2023, which is a core part of the G-20 and represents workers’ interests at the G20 level. Since the 1990s, BMS has frequently been designated as the “most representative workers’ organisation” for India’s workforce at the International Labour Organisation (ILO). BMS maintains deep ties with fellow labour organisations in the BRICS bloc. In May 2026, BMS took over the Presidency of the BRICS Trade Union Forum and established its secretariat in India to shape inclusive, future-ready labour policies across member nations.
Addressing policy impacts, NOBO-BMS noted that the Government of India has taken various decisions in recent years affecting the economy and banking industry, including mergers and amalgamations. All affiliates of BMS in central public sector enterprises held a massive rally in New Delhi on 17 November 2022 to protest privatisation and corporatisation of state-owned utilities. The union said this shows its commitment to national interest and proves it is not inclined to any political party. Its foundational doctrine is Responsive Cooperation.
On wage negotiations, NOBO-BMS said that under the guidance of Prabhari Girish Chandra Arya, it played a crucial role in implementing the 9th Joint Note without any strike and in a minimum time frame. During a meeting on March 7, 2024, the Finance Minister assured the BMS delegation that the next 13th Bipartite Settlement / 10th Joint Note would be implemented on its due date, November 1, 2027. This was reiterated by the Ministry of Finance, New Delhi, vide letter eF No. 4/2/1/2026-IR dated April 20, 2026, directing SBI and all other Public Sector Banks to commence the next wage revision and conclude the 13th BS / 10th JN within 12 months, before the expiry of the current settlement.
The statement added that BMS-NOBO delegates met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on October 10, 2024, securing the long-awaited demand for a uniform, transparent transfer policy. The online check-off system for union selection was also a result of NOBO’s representation in 2019 with the then Finance Minister. NOBO-BMS said it is now being approached by various retirees’ organizations for pension revision, and retirees view NOBO-BMS as their only hope for genuine pension updation.
“NOBO-BMS is emerging as the only banking trade union which can bring positive changes in the banking industry,” the statement said. “Your decision to join us will strengthen our hands and we guarantee steadfast support at every phase of your journey.”
The union said Prabhari Girish Chandra Arya is fully dedicated to bringing positive changes in the banking system and remains committed to work-life balance and women’s safety in banking with the help of BMS leadership. NOBO-BMS added that its strength lies in unity and it is fully committed to supporting IOBOA leadership as it advocates for the bankers’ fraternity.
