The United Forum of Bank Unions has scheduled a three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to 30 over the delayed implementation of a five-day workweek. As these dates lead into a weekend, bank branches may remain closed for five consecutive days. Customers are advised to plan their in-person banking tasks in advance or use digital channels.
Bank employees across India are set to go on a three-day strike starting September 28, following a deadlock in discussions between the United Forum of Bank Unions and the Indian Banks’ Association. The primary reason for the protest is the delay in implementing a five-day workweek, which union leaders claim was part of the wage settlement agreement reached in March 2024.
The timing of the strike is significant for customers because the three-day action falls immediately before a weekend. This creates a potential five-day period where physical bank branches may remain non-operational. While online banking, mobile applications, and ATMs are expected to function as normal, services that require manual intervention or an in-person visit—such as processing certain loans, clearing large-value cheques, or submitting physical documentation—will face delays.
Major public sector lenders, including State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank, have begun issuing advisories to clients, urging them to utilize digital banking platforms for their needs. These warnings emphasize the importance of completing any urgent financial work before the strike dates begin to avoid inconvenience.
The Department of Financial Services has noted that the five-day workweek proposal is a complex issue requiring detailed stakeholder consultation. Despite requests from the government to defer the strike for further dialogue, the union leadership has maintained that they will proceed with the action until a concrete and verifiable timeline is provided. Union representatives have also signaled that if this impasse remains unresolved, there is a possibility of continued industrial action starting in October.
For customers and the banking sector, the key monitorable remains the outcome of any last-minute talks or government interventions that could potentially avert the strike. Until a resolution is reached, account holders should expect limited support for services that rely on branch staff.