Bank employees and officers across India are set to observe a three‑day nationwide strike from September 28 to September 30, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) announced on Friday. The industrial action is intended to press the government to implement a five‑day banking week and to withdraw the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme that was introduced unilaterally by the Department of Financial Services. UFBU Himachal Pradesh convenor and President of the Bankers United Forum of Himachal Pradesh, Narendra Sharma, said the unions have been forced to resort to a strike because commitments made in an agreement with the government more than two‑and‑a‑half years ago remain unfulfilled.
Demand for a Five‑Day Banking Week
Sharma outlined the primary demand as the adoption of a five‑day banking week, with Saturday and Sunday designated as weekly holidays. He emphasized that the unions do not wish to inconvenience customers and understand the importance of uninterrupted banking services. Nevertheless, the prolonged delay in honoring the earlier agreement has left the unions with “no option but to resort to agitation,” according to Sharma. The demand seeks to align banking work schedules with a conventional workweek, thereby providing bank staff with consistent weekend rest.
Opposition to the Performance Linked Incentive Scheme
The second major issue highlighted by the UFBU is the newly introduced Performance Linked Incentive scheme. Sharma described the PLI as having been implemented without consultation, stating that it was rolled out unilaterally by the Department of Financial Services. The unions argue that the scheme undermines existing remuneration structures and adds undue pressure on employees. As a result, the withdrawal of the PLI scheme is being presented as a non‑negotiable demand alongside the call for a five‑day workweek.
Union Calls for Dialogue and Public Support
During the press conference in Shimla, Sharma appealed to the government and relevant authorities to engage in “meaningful discussions” and to take immediate steps toward implementing the five‑day banking system and addressing concerns over the PLI scheme. He also urged the general public and bank customers to understand the unions’ position and to extend cooperation and support during the three‑day strike. While the unions assert that they have no intention of disrupting customer service, they maintain that the strike is a necessary measure to draw attention to long‑standing, unimplemented commitments.
Broad Union Representation at the Press Conference
The press conference was attended by representatives from a range of UFBU‑affiliated organisations, underscoring the broad base of support for the strike. Attendees included Ashutosh Sharma and Khem Raj Verma of the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC), Deepak and Dinesh Sharma of the State Bank of India (SBI) Officers’ Association, Siddharth Target of the All India Professional Bankers’ and Non‑Banking Officers’ Association (AIPNBOA), Piyush Rathore of the UCO Bank Officers’ Association, Manish Machha of the Canara Bank Officers’ Association, Ankush Mehta of the SBI Staff Association, Akkur Rohal and Nitish Sharma of the All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA), Rajinder Kumar of the Banking Employees’ Federation of India (BEFI), and Mithun Verma of the United Bank of India (UBI) Officers’ Association. The presence of these diverse groups signals a coordinated effort across multiple banks and employee categories.
Anticipated Impact on Banking Operations
The strike is expected to affect banking operations nationwide throughout the three‑day period. While the unions have reiterated that they do not aim to inconvenience customers, the cessation of routine banking activities is likely to cause temporary disruptions. The UFBU’s statement highlighted that the strike is a last‑resort measure after prolonged inaction on agreed‑upon reforms, and it called on customers to be patient and supportive during the brief interruption.
In summary, the upcoming strike reflects deep‑seated frustrations within the banking workforce over delayed reforms and unilateral policy changes. By targeting both the workweek structure and the Performance Linked Incentive scheme, the UFBU hopes to compel the government and banking authorities to honour previously signed agreements and to engage in constructive dialogue. The three‑day industrial action, scheduled for September 28‑30, will serve as a test of the unions’ resolve and the public’s willingness to accommodate the demands of bank employees.
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