Bank Unions Call Three-Day Nationwide Strike From September 28 Over Five-Day Workweek Demand
Bank employees’ unions in India have confirmed a three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to 30, 2026, with the action expected to affect branch-level banking services across the country. The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella organisation representing seven bank unions. The UFBU says it represents about 90% of the banking workforce.
The principal demand now driving the strike is the immediate implementation of a five-day banking week. Bank unions have been seeking a system under which banks remain closed on all Saturdays, rather than the existing arrangement in which only the second and fourth Saturdays are holidays. The proposal was part of the 2024 wage settlement process and has remained pending for government approval.
The unions are also seeking changes to the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) framework and resolution of other outstanding service-related issues. However, the government has said that the PLI issue has been kept in abeyance and that discussions have continued on the remaining concerns. The Finance Ministry has disputed any claim that it had already committed to implementing a five-day banking week, saying the proposal remains under consideration.
The latest strike call follows a one-day nationwide strike on September 11 and unsuccessful conciliation efforts between union representatives, the Indian Banks’ Association and government officials. The UFBU has maintained that the unresolved five-day-week demand warrants further industrial action.
The timing of the proposed strike is significant because September 30 is the half-yearly closing date for banks. Government officials have warned that disruption during this period could affect reconciliation, settlements and other banking operations. The Finance Ministry has therefore asked public sector banks and regional rural banks to take steps to minimise disruption and ensure adequate availability of cash through ATMs.
To reduce the impact on customers, the government has directed public sector banks and regional rural banks to remain open on Sunday, September 27. The Reserve Bank of India has approved the operation of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on that day. The move is intended to provide customers with an additional opportunity to complete urgent banking work before the proposed strike begins.
Customers are expected to face the greatest disruption in physical branch services, particularly at participating public sector banks. Major banks have advised customers to complete time-sensitive transactions in advance. Digital services such as UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and ATMs are expected to continue operating, although some back-office, clearing and settlement-related activities could be affected.
The unions have also indicated that the industrial action could escalate if the dispute remains unresolved. According to union communications, an indefinite nationwide strike has been proposed from October 26, 2026, with the five-day workweek and other unresolved issues remaining central to their demands.
The immediate focus now shifts to September 27, when public sector and regional rural banks are scheduled to open despite it being a Sunday, followed by the three-day strike from September 28 to 30. With negotiations still unresolved, the coming days could determine whether further disruption to India’s banking sector is avoided or whether the dispute moves toward prolonged industrial action.
