New Delhi, September 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The government on Monday urged employees of public sector banks and regional rural banks to call off their proposed three-day strike from September 28 to 30, saying one of their two key demands has already been addressed with the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme being kept in abeyance.
The Finance Ministry said the government had taken note of the concerns raised by the United Forum of Bank Unions and other unions and had held several rounds of discussions to resolve the issues through dialogue.
“Given that most concerns of the Unions have been substantially addressed, that the remaining demand continues to be examined, and that the government continues to proactively introduce welfare measures for the banking workforce, bank employees are urged to refrain from resorting to strikes, work towards resolving issues through dialogue, and ensure that banking services remain uninterrupted,” the ministry said.
Bank unions have been seeking implementation of a five-day banking week and withdrawal of the PLI scheme. The government said its decision to keep the PLI scheme in abeyance fulfilled one of the two major demands.
The ministry also highlighted the importance of uninterrupted banking services, noting that the second and fourth Saturdays were declared public holidays for public sector banks in 2015, while the remaining Saturdays continue to provide customers access to banking services.
It said the proposed strike from September 28 to 30 coincides with the half-yearly closing of banks on September 30, a crucial date for reconciliation, provisioning, treasury and market operations. Combined with the preceding weekend, the strike could effectively result in a five-day disruption of banking services, the ministry said.
The government noted that a one-day strike was held on September 11, while another three-day strike is scheduled for September 28-30. An indefinite strike has also been proposed from October 26 over the demand for a five-day banking week.
The Finance Ministry said strikes could disrupt banking services, inconvenience customers and businesses, and affect the interests of bank employees, while reiterating its commitment to resolving their concerns through constructive engagement.
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