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Government Urges Bank Employees to Call Off September Strike
Bank employees are planning to stop work for three days at the end of September.
The government is asking them not to strike.
It says the strike could make banking difficult for five days because a weekend comes before it.
September 30 is also an important day when banks complete half-yearly financial work.
The unions want banks to operate five days a week instead of having the current Saturday arrangement.
They also wanted the Performance Linked Incentive scheme withdrawn.
The government says it has already paused that scheme.
The government and unions have held discussions, but they have not agreed on the five-day week.
Another strike has been proposed for October 26 if the disagreement remains.
The Finance Ministry urged public sector and regional rural bank employees to withdraw their planned three-day strike from September 28 to 30, 2026.
The ministry warned that the strike, combined with the preceding weekend and September 30 half-yearly closing, could disrupt banking services for five consecutive days.
Bank unions are seeking a five-day banking week and withdrawal of the Performance Linked Incentive scheme.
The government said it has placed the PLI scheme in abeyance, but the unions’ demand for a five-day workweek remains unresolved.
A one-day strike took place on September 11, while an indefinite strike has been proposed from October 26 if the dispute continues.
- Who
- The Ministry of Finance, public sector bank and regional rural bank employees, and the United Forum of Bank Unions and other bank unions.
- What
- The government urged employees to call off a three-day strike and resolve demands through dialogue.
- Where
- The action concerns public sector banks and regional rural banks in India; the government statement was issued in New Delhi.
- When
- The planned strike is scheduled for September 28-30, 2026; an indefinite strike has been proposed from October 26.
- Why
- Unions are seeking a five-day banking week and withdrawal of the Performance Linked Incentive scheme, while the government says the disruption could affect customers, businesses, government transactions, and banking operations.
Government Position
Bank Unions' Position
Five-day banking week
Government Position
The government says the remaining demand is still being examined and urges employees to settle it through dialogue rather than strike action.
Bank Unions' Position
The unions consider implementation of a five-day banking week their remaining principal demand and have scheduled further industrial action.
Performance Linked Incentive scheme
Government Position
The government says placing the PLI scheme in abeyance fulfilled one of the unions' two main demands.
Bank Unions' Position
The unions originally demanded withdrawal of the PLI scheme, but they continue to press for the five-day workweek after the scheme was placed in abeyance.
Effect of the strike
Government Position
The government warns that the timing could inconvenience customers and businesses and disrupt government and international banking operations during the half-yearly closing.
Bank Unions' Position
The unions' planned strikes indicate that they consider industrial action necessary to pursue the unresolved workweek demand despite the government's warning.
Key facts
- Planned strike
- September 28-30, 2026
- Earlier strike
- A one-day nationwide strike was held on September 11.
- Proposed indefinite strike
- From October 26, on the demand for a five-day banking week.
- Union demands
- A five-day banking week and withdrawal of the Performance Linked Incentive scheme.
- Government action
- The Performance Linked Incentive scheme was placed in abeyance after discussions.
- Potential disruption
- The strike and preceding weekend could produce five consecutive days of disruption.
- Important banking date
- September 30 is the half-yearly closing date, involving reconciliation, provisioning, and treasury and market operations.
Quotes
Finance ministry
India’s finance ministry, which issued the statement urging bank employees to avoid the strike
“bank employees are urged to refrain from resorting to strikes, work towards resolving issues through dialogue, and ensure that banking services remain uninterrupted”
thehansindia.com
“Strikes cause disruption in banking services that inconvenience the public, impact the business of the bank, and ultimately harm the interests of bank employees.”
livemint.com
Sources
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