Banks to Remain Open This Sunday Due to Strike: Government Decision

Public sector banks and regional rural banks across the country will remain open on Sunday, September 27, to help customers complete essential banking work ahead of the three-day bank employees’ strike scheduled from September 28.

The decision comes after the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) called for a nationwide strike from September 28 to 30. The unions have raised several demands, including the implementation of a five-day working week for banks.

September 26 is already a fourth Saturday and September 27 is a Sunday, both of which are normally holidays for banks. With the strike beginning on September 28, regular branch services could otherwise be affected for five consecutive days.

Conciliation talks were held recently under the Labour Department to prevent the strike, but no agreement was reached. The UFBU has indicated that it may reconsider the strike if there is concrete and favourable progress on implementing a five-day banking week.

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India has permitted bank branches, offices, ATM-related branches and currency chests to operate on Sunday, September 27.

The Union Finance Ministry said customers can use the additional working day to complete urgent banking transactions before the strike begins.