Govt appeals to PSB, RRB employees to refrain from strikes and ensure uninterrupted banking services
Ziraat Times Team Report
New Delhi, September 21: The Government of India has appealed to employees of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to refrain from the proposed strikes and ensure uninterrupted banking services, stating that disruption during the September 28–30 strike period could cause inconvenience to customers, businesses and government transactions.
The appeal follows a three-day strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions and other unions and associations in support of the demand for a five-day banking workweek. The unions have also demanded withdrawal of the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
According to the government, it has already decided to keep the PLI scheme in abeyance, thereby addressing one of the unions’ two principal demands.
Despite several rounds of conciliation on the remaining demand for a five-day workweek, a one-day strike was held on September 11, while a three-day strike has been scheduled from September 28 to 30. An indefinite strike has also been proposed from October 26.
Govt highlights employee welfare measures
The government said it has taken several measures in recent years to improve the working conditions, welfare and career prospects of bank employees.
These include revised salaries and allowances and new pay scales across cadres, an increase of 56% in the Staff Welfare Fund of Public Sector Banks in August 2024, expansion of executive posts and streamlined promotion and transfer processes.
The government also said PSBs recruited around 4.82 lakh employees between FY 2014–15 and FY 2025–26, with recruitment doubling during the last three years. As of July 1, 2026, 95.84% of officer posts and 92% of subordinate/award staff posts were stated to be filled.
Other measures cited include Aadhaar authentication in recruitment, online transfer systems with location preferences, special leave provisions for women employees, revision of family pension, pension options for certain resignees, ex-gratia payments for pensioners and family pensioners, revised medical insurance for retirees and enhanced conveyance allowance for employees with disabilities.
The government also said negotiations for the upcoming Bipartite Settlement have begun ahead of the November 2027 deadline, with the aim of completing the process well in advance.
Govt flags impact of September strike
The government said the proposed September 28–30 strike coincides with the half-yearly closing of banks on September 30, which is significant for reconciliation, provisioning, treasury and market operations.
It said the strike, together with the preceding weekend, could effectively result in a five-day disruption of banking services, affecting customers, businesses, government transactions and international banking operations.
The government also recalled that the second and fourth Saturdays were declared public holidays for Public Sector Banks in 2015, while the remaining Saturdays continue to provide an opportunity for citizens to access banking services.
Appeal for dialogue
The government stated that Public Sector Banks play an important role in financial inclusion, digital banking, financial literacy and rural outreach.
It said the banking sector’s continued functioning depends on a secure, motivated and efficient workforce and maintained that employees’ genuine concerns should be addressed through dialogue and constructive engagement.
The government urged bank employees to refrain from strikes, resolve outstanding issues through dialogue and ensure that banking services remain uninterrupted.
