Bank employees across India are set to begin a three-day nationwide strike from September 28, with unions also warning of an indefinite strike from October 26 if their demands remain unresolved. The protests are centred primarily on the demand for a five-day banking week.
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body of seven bank employee and officer unions, has called the strike for September 28, 29 and 30. The unions say they represent around 90% of the banking workforce. More than eight lakh employees and officers are expected to participate.
The main demand is for all Saturdays to be declared bank holidays, paving the way for a five-day working week. Bank unions have argued that a five-day schedule is already followed by institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, LIC, government offices and stock exchanges. They have also cited the growing use of digital banking and other alternative channels.
The unions had earlier raised several other issues, including the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, pension-related matters and other service-related demands. The government has said it has kept the PLI scheme in abeyance, but the five-day workweek demand remains unresolved.
The proposed strike comes after a one-day nationwide strike on September 11. Despite appeals from the government, the Department of Financial Services, the Indian Banks’ Association and bank managements to defer the three-day strike, the UFBU has decided to proceed with it.
The timing of the strike could also affect customers as September 28-30 coincides with the banking sector’s half-yearly closing. The Finance Ministry has asked public sector banks and regional rural banks to take steps to minimise disruption and ensure essential services remain available.
Several banks have advised customers to complete important transactions before the strike. State Bank of India has also urged customers to use ATMs, internet banking, mobile banking, UPI and other digital channels wherever possible during the strike period. Public sector banks have been instructed to remain open on Sunday, September 27, to help customers complete essential transactions ahead of the strike.
If the issues remain unresolved, the unions have proposed an indefinite nationwide strike from October 26.