Sat Feb 22 15:16:17 UTC 2025: ## LIC Employees Protest Staff Shortages in Ballari
**Ballari, Karnataka, February 22, 2025** – Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India employees in Ballari staged a one-hour symbolic walkout today, protesting severe staff shortages and alleging government inaction. Under the banner of the All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA), the employees highlighted a dramatic decline in Class III and Class IV staff, from 57,441 in March 2017 to 45,762 in March 2024. Further, over 2,700 of 8,000 Class II vacancies notified in 2020 remain unfilled.
Union leaders Suryanarayan and Dattatreya criticized the government’s reliance on outsourcing to address the shortfall, arguing that this approach fails to meet soaring customer demands and risks compromising LIC’s position as a leading insurer. They emphasized the urgent need for recruitment to prevent further strain on existing employees, impacting both company performance and employee well-being.
The protest also highlighted the lack of a recognized union at LIC, despite having a largely unionized workforce. The AIIEA, claiming support from over 80% of LIC employees, demanded management recognize the union, accusing LIC leadership of violating ILO Conventions 87 and 98 regarding industrial democracy. The leaders expressed concern that government policies are negatively impacting public sector units like LIC.
First Piper 