If you have any urgent work to do at the bank, complete it immediately. The Bank Employees Association and the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) have important news for bank customers: banking services will only be available five days a week.

Negotiations between the Bank Employees' Association and the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) over the demand for banking services to continue for only five days a week have remained inconclusive. The meeting held on September 4th failed to yield a concrete solution to this issue. Therefore, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has justified its decision to call a nationwide bank strike on September 11, 2026.

Bank strike on September 11?

According to information provided by the UFBU, consensus has not yet been reached on the five-day banking week, alleged discrimination in the Public Interest Litigation (PLI), and other pending demands. Therefore, the organization has clarified that there is no reason to postpone the strike on September 11th.

Further strikes are likely
According to reports, a one-day nationwide strike is proposed on September 11, 2026. This will be followed by a three-day strike from September 28 to 30, and an indefinite nationwide strike beginning October 26. However, this program may change if a future agreement is reached between the union and the IBA.

What is the demand for a five-day work week?
Bank employees are demanding that banking services be offered five days a week, Monday through Friday. Currently, banks are open on all Saturdays except the second and fourth. Implementing a five-day week would result in holidays on Saturdays and Sundays. To compensate, it is proposed to increase employees' daily working hours by approximately 40 minutes.

What will be the impact on customers?
If a strike occurs, cash transactions, check processing, document processing, and other physical banking services at bank branches are likely to be affected. However, digital services such as ATMs, internet banking, and mobile banking may continue. Whether these services will be affected will depend on the situation at the respective bank.  

PC: Aaj Tak