English
English
English
Banks open on Sunday before strike as customers prepare for possible service disruption. (Img: Pinterest)
New Delhi: Bank customers are set to get a major relief as public sector banks and Regional Rural Banks will remain open on Sunday, September 27, ahead of a planned three day nationwide bank strike starting September 28.
The government has taken the step to prevent a possible disruption in banking services as the proposed strike comes immediately after weekend holidays, which could have resulted in several consecutive days of limited branch operations for customers.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also approved the functioning of bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on Sunday to ensure smooth cash availability and essential financial services.
The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions, which has raised demands including a five day banking week, pension reforms and other employee-related issues.
The Ministry of Finance announced that public sector banks and Regional Rural Banks will function normally on Sunday to protect customer interests. The move is being seen as a preventive measure to avoid inconvenience for individuals, businesses and institutions that depend on physical banking services.
Customers will get an additional opportunity to complete important transactions such as cash deposits, withdrawals, documentation work and other branch-related services before the strike begins. The government and bank managements have also appealed to unions to resolve differences through dialogue and reconsider the strike decision.
The RBI has allowed banks to operate branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on September 27. Currency chests are important parts of the banking network as they help manage and distribute cash supply among banks.
The additional working day is expected to help banks maintain operational stability before the strike period. The decision also reflects the importance of uninterrupted banking services in an economy increasingly dependent on both digital and physical financial infrastructure.
The nationwide strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions, an umbrella body representing multiple banking employee organisations. The unions are demanding implementation of a five day banking week, arguing that employees require changes in working conditions due to increasing workload, digital responsibilities and compliance pressure.
Apart from working week reforms, unions have raised several other issues related to pension benefits, dearness allowance calculations and retirement schemes. They have demanded improvement in pension-related benefits and an option for employees covered under the National Pension System to move towards the Old Pension Scheme.
The introduction of a five day banking week has become the main point of discussion between bank unions and authorities. Bank employees have highlighted that changing customer behaviour, increased digital transactions and additional regulatory responsibilities have increased pressure on banking staff.
The UFBU has indicated that the strike could be reconsidered if there is significant progress on the five day banking demand. However, after discussions with labour authorities failed to produce a final resolution, unions decided to continue with their planned protest.
The timing of the strike has increased concerns because September 30 is also an important date in banking operations due to the half-yearly closing process.
Banks undertake several critical activities during this period, including account reconciliation, financial reporting, provisioning and treasury-related operations.
Any disruption during the closing period could create additional challenges for banks and businesses. Financial institutions are closely monitoring developments between unions, bank management and government representatives.
Banks have advised customers to use alternative banking channels if the strike continues. Digital platforms including mobile banking, internet banking, UPI payments, ATMs and banking correspondent services are expected to remain available for routine transactions.
However, customers requiring branch-based services may face delays during the strike period. Businesses that depend on cash handling, documentation and offline banking operations are also keeping track of the situation.
If the strike proceeds as planned, some branch-level services could be affected across the country. Services such as account updates, paperwork, certain cash-related activities and other offline banking requirements may face delays.
However, digital banking systems are expected to continue operating as they function through separate technology platforms. Banks have been preparing contingency plans to maintain essential services during the strike.
The three day nationwide strike is scheduled to begin on September 28 and continue until September 30. The unions have also warned of further action, including a possible indefinite strike from October 26, if their demands remain unresolved.
