बँक कर्मचाऱ्यांना ५ दिवसांच्या आठवड्याचे आश्वासन दिलेले नाही; अर्थ...

By GT24x7 Reporter · 25 September 2026 · GlobalToday24x7

The Union Ministry of Finance has officially clarified that the central government never gave any formal assurance or commitment regarding the implementation of a five-day work week for bank employees. The clarification comes amidst growing tension between bank worker unions and administrative authorities ahead of a proposed three-day nationwide strike scheduled to begin on September 28, 2026.

Representatives of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body representing approximately 90 percent of the banking workforce, had previously maintained that the proposal to introduce a five-day work week was mutually agreed upon during negotiations with the Indian Banks' Association (IBA). Under the proposed arrangement, working hours from Monday to Friday would be extended by 40 minutes daily to compensate for declaring all Saturdays as official holidays. However, senior ministry officials asserted that while the IBA forwarded the recommendation to the government for consideration, the ministry itself made no binding commitment to execute the proposal.

Concessions Granted on Pension Revisions and PLI Scheme Status

Despite the disagreement over working schedules, Finance Ministry sources highlighted that several key employee demands have been substantially addressed and approved by the government. In a major relief for bank retirees and their families, the ministry accepted the proposal to enhance the family pension scheme for deceased employees' dependents. Additionally, administrative approval was granted to extend pension benefits to former employees who had previously resigned from service, fulfilling a long-standing demand raised by various banking staff associations.

Furthermore, addressing concerns over the controversial Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme—which had drawn criticism from unions for being restrictive and selective—the government confirmed that the scheme has been put on hold indefinitely for the current financial year following union objections. Government representatives reiterated that significant financial concessions, including a 17 percent wage hike during the 12th Bipartite Settlement, demonstrate the administration's supportive stance toward banking personnel.

Operational Readiness and Precautionary Measures Ahead of Strike

The upcoming three-day strike called by the UFBU from September 28 to September 30 coincides with the crucial half-yearly financial closing period for commercial banks. Coupled with the non-working second/fourth Saturday schedule, the industrial action threatened a continuous five-day shutdown of physical branch services across the country.

To safeguard public interest and ensure uninterrupted financial operations, the Ministry of Finance and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have ordered all public sector banks and regional rural banks to remain open and operate normally on Sunday, September 27. Additionally, the Controller General of Accounts issued directives permitting central government departments to disburse September salaries and pensions in advance on September 25. While digital channels such as UPI, internet banking, and ATMs are expected to function normally, authorities continue to urge bank unions to resolve outstanding issues through constructive dialogue rather than work stoppages.