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Central Govt Appeal to Bank Employees to Refrain from Strike | PIB Release 21.09.2026

Central Govt Appeal to Bank Employees to Refrain from Strike | PIB Release 21.09.2026
Central Govt Appeal to Bank Employees to Refrain from Strike

CENTRAL GOVT APPEAL TO BANK EMPLOYEES TO REFRAIN FROM STRIKE

Ministry of Finance, Government of India – PIB Release, 21st September 2026, 7:50 PM

Government's Appeal

Bank employees are urged to refrain from resorting to strikes and work towards resolving issues through dialogue.
Most concerns of the Unions have been substantially addressed. The remaining demand continues to be examined. The Government remains committed to the welfare and well-being of bank employees and to addressing their genuine concerns through constructive engagement.

Proposed Strike Schedule

28 – 30 SEPTEMBER 2026

3-Day All India Strike called by UFBU and other Unions/Associations

Indefinite Strike proposed from 26th October 2026

The 3-day strike coincides with the half-yearly closing of banks on 30th September 2026.

Issuing Authority Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India
Release Date 21st September 2026
Release ID 2313186
Addressed To PSB & RRB Employees

3-Day Strike

28–30 Sept 2026
Called by UFBU

PLI Scheme

Kept in Abeyance
One of two demands fulfilled

Half-Yearly Closing

30th September
Effective 5-day closure

Background

  • Strike Calls: The United Forum of Bank Unions and certain other Unions/Associations in the Public Sector Banks (supported by Regional Rural Banks) have called for a series of strikes in support of two principal demands: implementation of five-day banking and withdrawal of the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
  • Government Action: Taking due note of the concerns raised, the Government, after detailed discussion, decided to keep the PLI scheme in abeyance. This proactive initiative fulfilled one of the two main demands of the Unions.
  • Conciliation Efforts: The Government held several rounds of conciliation to address the outstanding issues through dialogue, in keeping with the established practice of resolving differences bilaterally.
  • Strikes Despite Resolution: Despite the Government having resolved one of the two major demands and sustained conciliatory engagement, a one-day strike was held on 11.09.2026, with a further three-day strike scheduled from 28.09.2026 to 30.09.2026, and an indefinite strike proposed from 26.10.2026, on the single demand of a five-day workweek for banks.

Welfare Measures Taken by the Government

Increase in salary and allowances along with fixation of new pay scales for all cadres.
Staff Welfare Fund (SWF) for working and retired officials of PSBs enhanced by 56% in August 2024.
Number of executive posts at AGM, DGM, GM, and CGM levels increased.
From FY 2014-15 to FY 2025-26, PSBs recruited approximately 4,82,800 employees; recruitment doubled in the last three years.
Aadhaar authentication introduced; recruitment results streamlined to reduce attrition.
Promotion processes streamlined to ensure timely promotions.
Transfer policies improved with online platforms and location preference options.
Special leave approved for women employees – menstrual period, infertility treatment, adoption of a second child, and stillbirth.
Family Pension for bank retirees revised; Pension option granted to Resignees.
Monthly Ex-gratia for pensioners and family pensioners introduced; Ex-gratia for pre-1986 retirees increased.
Revised medical insurance policy introduced for retirees with Base policy concept.
Conveyance Allowance for PwBD employees increased.
Reduction in time taken for completion of wage settlement; negotiations for upcoming Bipartite Settlement begun well in advance of the November 2027 deadline.

Concerns Addressed by the Government

  • PLI Scheme: The Government decided to keep the PLI scheme in abeyance, fulfilling one of the two main demands of the Unions.
  • Saturday Holidays: In the interests of bank employees, the Government declared the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month as public holidays for Public Sector Banks in 2015.
  • Employee Strength: As of 01.07.2026, 95.84% of Officers are in position, and 92% of Subordinate/Award staff are in position.
  • Substantial Majority Addressed: The Government's measures indicate that it has already addressed the concerns of a substantial majority of bank employees over recent years.

Impact of the Proposed Strike

  • Half-Yearly Closing: The 3-day strike period coincides with the half-yearly closing of banks on 30th September, a date of significance for reconciliation, provisioning, and treasury and market operations.
  • Effective 5-Day Closure: The disruption, combined with the preceding weekend, would result in an effective five-day closure of banking services.
  • Public Inconvenience: Considerable inconvenience to customers, businesses, Government transactions, and international banking operations.
  • No Fruitful Outcome: The Government states that there is no fruitful outcome achieved through strikes; they disrupt banking services, impact bank business, and ultimately harm the interests of bank employees.

Government's Position

  • Commitment to Welfare: The Government remains committed to the welfare and well-being of bank employees and to addressing their genuine concerns through constructive engagement.
  • Robust Banking Sector: Public Sector Banks today stand on a healthy and robust footing, achieved through the sustained efforts of the Government and the contributions of bankers and bank managements.
  • Collective Interest: It is necessary to preserve and build on this success in the collective interest of banks, their employees, and the citizens they serve.
  • Urging Dialogue: Given that most concerns of the Unions have been substantially addressed, the remaining demand continues to be examined, and the Government continues to proactively introduce welfare measures, bank employees are urged to refrain from strikes and resolve issues through dialogue.

Important Points to Note

  • Government Appeal: Bank employees are urged to refrain from the proposed 3-day strike (28-30 Sept 2026) and the indefinite strike from 26th October 2026.
  • PLI Scheme: The Government has kept the PLI scheme in abeyance, fulfilling one of the two main demands of the Unions.
  • 5-Day Banking: The remaining demand for a five-day workweek is still under examination by the Government.
  • Welfare Measures: The Government has taken several measures for the welfare of bank employees, including salary revisions, recruitment, promotions, transfer policies, and pension revisions.
  • Effective 5-Day Closure: The 3-day strike plus the preceding weekend would result in a 5-day closure of banking services.
  • Half-Yearly Closing: The strike coincides with the half-yearly closing of banks on 30th September 2026.
  • Constructive Engagement: The Government remains committed to resolving issues through dialogue and bilateral discussions.
  • Public Impact: Strikes cause inconvenience to customers, businesses, Government transactions, and international banking operations.

Download the Official PIB Release or share this update:

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is this PIB release about?
This PIB release from the Ministry of Finance appeals to employees of Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks to refrain from the proposed strikes and resolve issues through dialogue.
What are the strike dates?
A 3-day strike is scheduled from 28th to 30th September 2026, with an indefinite strike proposed from 26th October 2026.
What are the demands of the bank unions?
The two principal demands are: (1) implementation of five-day banking, and (2) withdrawal of the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
What action has the Government taken on the PLI scheme?
The Government has decided to keep the PLI scheme in abeyance, fulfilling one of the two main demands of the Unions.
What is the status of the 5-day banking demand?
The remaining demand for a five-day workweek is still under examination by the Government.
Why is the Government appealing against the strike?
The Government states that most concerns of the Unions have been substantially addressed, the remaining demand continues to be examined, and it continues to proactively introduce welfare measures for the banking workforce. Strikes cause disruption in banking services, inconvenience the public, and ultimately harm the interests of bank employees.
What welfare measures have been taken for bank employees?
Key measures include: salary and allowance increases with new pay scales; 56% enhancement of Staff Welfare Fund; increased executive posts; recruitment of approximately 4,82,800 employees from FY 2014-15 to FY 2025-26; streamlined promotions and transfers; special leave for women employees; revised family pension; monthly Ex-gratia for pensioners; revised medical insurance for retirees; and increased Conveyance Allowance for PwBD employees.
What is the impact of the proposed strike?
The 3-day strike coincides with the half-yearly closing of banks on 30th September 2026. Combined with the preceding weekend, this would result in an effective five-day closure of banking services, causing considerable inconvenience to customers, businesses, Government transactions, and international banking operations.
What is the Government's position on strikes?
The Government states that there is no fruitful outcome achieved through strikes. Strikes disrupt banking services, impact bank business, and ultimately harm the interests of bank employees. The Government remains committed to resolving issues through constructive engagement and dialogue.
What has the Government done regarding the upcoming Bipartite Settlement?
For the first time, the Government has begun negotiations for the upcoming Bipartite Settlement, aiming to complete it well in advance of the November 2027 deadline.
What is the Government's message to bank employees?
Bank employees are urged to refrain from resorting to strikes, work towards resolving issues through dialogue, and ensure that banking services remain uninterrupted. The Government remains committed to the welfare and well-being of bank employees and to addressing their genuine concerns through constructive engagement.