BSNL employees have planned a nationwide strike for November 20, 2026, to demand long-pending salary revisions. The dispute centers on the Third Pay Revision Committee recommendations, which have remained unimplemented because the state-run company fails to meet government profitability standards. This industrial action threatens to disrupt telecom services as the firm struggles with ongoing financial losses.
Employees at Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) have scheduled a nationwide strike for November 20, 2026. The action is being led by the All Unions and Association of BSNL (AUAB), a coalition representing the workforce. This strike marks the latest escalation in a years-long standoff regarding the implementation of the Third Pay Revision Committee (PRC) salary recommendations, which have been pending since 2017.
At the center of the disagreement is the government’s affordability clause. This rule requires a public sector company to maintain a consistent profit record to be eligible for wage revisions. BSNL has struggled to meet these specific metrics, as it continues to record net losses. For the full fiscal year 2026, BSNL reported a net loss of ₹4,738 crore. In the first quarter of the 2027 fiscal year, the company reported a loss of ₹1,280 crore.
Union representatives argue that the company’s inability to turn a profit is largely due to government-mandated projects and public service obligations rather than poor management or weak commercial strategy. They contend that the workforce should not be penalized for financial conditions caused by these external mandates. However, government officials have maintained that any departure from the standard affordability rules would require high-level cabinet approval, leaving the request in a regulatory deadlock.
Beyond the wage dispute, the company faces significant operational pressure. The telecom sector is highly competitive, dominated by large private players, which puts constant pressure on BSNL to improve service quality and network reach. Management is also restricted by policies that require the firm to source equipment primarily from domestic vendors. While this helps support local manufacturing, employees claim it creates challenges in keeping pace with the technology upgrades of private rivals.
The strike poses a direct risk to service stability for customers. While BSNL has managed to narrow its losses slightly in recent quarters compared to the previous year, the recurring financial struggle limits the company's flexibility to address employee demands for higher pay. Investors and industry observers will be watching the next round of talks between the Department of Telecommunications and union leaders, as the resolution will likely impact the company’s service continuity and its ability to manage its workforce effectively in a competitive market.