Strike Deferred

Enhancement of gratuity celling from 20 lakh to 25 lakh for banks employees

Please Speak for the Banking Workforce*

To

The MDs & CEOs

All Public Sector Banks of India

 *Subject: An Appeal from Your Junior Colleagues - Please Speak for the Banking Workforce* 

Sir/Madam,

There was a time when the leadership of nationalised banks came from outside the banking workforce. Today, many of our MDs & CEOs have risen through the very system they now lead.

This change happened because generations of bank employees built and strengthened the Public Sector Banking system.

Therefore, we believe you understand the ground realities better than anyone else.

 *Today, however, your junior colleagues are deeply pained to see our justified demands being questioned, vilified and, at times, met with threats.* 

You know the reality inside our branches.

 *There are virtually no fixed working hours.

A banker's day may begin around 10 AM and continue for another 10–12 hours. Targets, compliance, business development, audits, recovery, government schemes and customer service have all increased enormously.* 

 *And behind these numbers are human beings and families.* 

The consequences are visible in the growing stress, fatigue and health concerns across the workforce.

We cannot build a strong banking system on an exhausted workforce.

This is why 5-Day Banking is not a demand to work less.

WE DON'T WANT TO WORK LESS.

WE WANT TO WORK BETTER.

Five-day banking can provide employees with the much-needed two-day weekly rest while allowing better planning, productivity and work-life balance.

We therefore appeal to you:

Please speak to the DFS.

Please speak to the Government.

Please tell them the ground reality.

 *Please convey the sentiments of nearly 8 lakh bank employees and their families.* 

You are not outsiders to this system.

You have grown through this system.

You know its pressures.

You know its people.

 *Today, your junior colleagues look towards you.* 

STAND WITH YOUR WORKFORCE.

SPEAK FOR THE BANKING SYSTEM.

SUPPORT 5-DAY BANKING.

Because a stronger banking system begins with a healthier workforce.

The government never committed to a five-day workweek for banks

The government never committed to a five-day workweek for banks and the issue was not discussed during wage settlement negotiations, a finance ministry source said.

The clarification comes days before bank employees go on a nationwide three-day strike, starting September 28, in support of the demand.

Bank unions claim the industry body agreed to a five-day week, with Saturdays declared holidays, as part of a wage settlement signed in March 2024.

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#Bank #FinanceMinistry

A meeting was conducted between AIBOA and IBA at the office of Deputy CLC in New Delhi on 23 September 2026.

#BankStrike

A meeting was conducted between AIBOA and IBA at the office of Deputy CLC in New Delhi on 23 September 2026.

During the meeting, AIBOA raised several concerns related to the demands mentioned in its strike notice. The association demanded proportionate payment of annualised pay to bank employees, from executives to the last employee on the payroll.

AIBOA also opposed the proposed privatisation of IDBI Bank. It referred to earlier government commitments to maintain 51% ownership in the bank and argued that the government could increase its holding by purchasing shares from the market. The association also raised concerns about the possible impact of foreign ownership on public sector banking, reservation provisions and facilities for differently abled employees, and demanded that the proposed privatisation be stopped.

The association also raised the long-pending demand for five-day banking. It pointed out that the issue had been discussed under earlier agreements and the 9th Joint Note signed on March 8, 2024, but the matter remains unresolved. AIBOA stated that other financial institutions such as RBI, NABARD and LIC follow a five-day working week and demanded that banks should also adopt the system. It also sought an advisory from the Government for banks to complete daily work by 6 PM.

The IBA requested AIBOA to withdraw the proposed strike and said that government has taken a lot of welfare measures for bank employees.

On five-day banking, DFS stated that the demand is under consideration by the Government, but no specific timeline could be given at present.

The DFS representative therefore appealed to AIBOA to call off the proposed strike from September 28 to 30.

However, AIBOA maintained that no satisfactory solution had been offered by IBA and DFS and that sufficient positive steps had not been taken to resolve its demands. The association therefore stated that it had no option but to continue with its proposed strike.

Banking Employees – Welfare and Working Condition currently

Banking Employees – Welfare and Working Condition currently 

1. Excessive working hours – In many banks, employees may work from around 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., resulting in poor work-life balance.

2. Maternity leave – Employees have raised concerns about whether the available maternity leave and related support are adequate for working mothers.

3. Frequent transfers – Branch transfers every three years and transfers to other states every five years can create difficulties for family life, children's education, and care of elderly parents. Frequent relocation can also make it difficult for spouses to live together.

4. Different PLI/incentive settlements – Differences in performance-linked incentive arrangements among employees can create concerns about fairness and equal treatment.

5. Working on all seven days – Employees may be required to work beyond the normal weekly schedule, including Sundays or holidays in certain situations, increasing workload and stress.

6. Promotion linked to insurance sales – Linking promotion or career progression substantially to insurance-selling targets can create pressure on employees whose primary banking responsibilities are different.

7. Limited career growth – Employees may face limited opportunities for promotion, skill development, and career progression.

8. Inadequate pay structure – Employees may have concerns about whether the salary and allowances adequately reflect workload, responsibilities, and working hours.

Government vs UFBU