Government Keeps Public Sector Banks Open on Sunday Ahead of Nationwide Strike

Public sector and regional rural banks will stay open for normal work on Sunday, September 27. This decision aims to protect the public from banking troubles during a three-day nationwide bank strike starting September 28 and ending September 30.

Official Approvals

The Ministry of Finance announced this plan on Wednesday to protect regular banking needs. The Reserve Bank of India gave permission for all bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches, and currency chests to stay fully open on Sunday. The government and bank leaders have asked unions to drop the strike while taking steps to keep essential services running.

Strike Demands

The strike happens because workers want a five-day working week. The All India Bank Officers' Confederation sent a letter on September 22 stating that authorities ignored this demand, which was agreed and signed in March 2024 during the last wage revision settlement. The United Forum of Bank Unions, which claims to represent 90 percent of the banking workforce, also protested against management pressure on officers not to join the strike.

Failed Talks

A conciliation meeting led by the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner failed to solve the issue. Representatives from the union, the Indian Banks' Association, the finance ministry, and bank management attended this meeting.