Bank unions announce all-India strikes in September
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has declared a series of nationwide strikes in September to demand changes in the banking sector, including a five-day workweek and a review of the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. The forum, comprising key bank unions such as AIBEA, AIBOC, NCBE, AIBOA, BEFI, INBEF, and INBOC, is urging the government to fulfill its promise to implement five-day banking.
The UFBU has scheduled an all-India strike on September 11, 2026, followed by three consecutive days of strikes on September 28, 29, and 30, 2026. If their demands are not met, the unions have threatened to go on an indefinite strike starting October 26, 2026.
The UFBU's statement, dated August 23, 2026, highlights the ongoing dispute over the introduction of a five-day banking system. The Indian Banks' Association (IBA) had agreed to introduce five days of banking through an increase of 40 minutes of working hours daily from Monday to Friday in the 12th BPS/9th joint note signed on March 8, 2024. However, the UFBU argues that this matter has been unresolved for over two years.
Another point of contention for the bank unions is the PLI scheme. The UFBU claims that the government has directed banks to implement a different PLI scheme for officers at Scale IV and above, which would provide PLI up to 365 days of basic pay based on individual performance. In contrast, workmen employees and officers up to Scale III would receive a maximum of 15 days of basic pay plus dearness allowance.
The UFBU argues that this discriminatory incentive would create a divide among employees and officers, leading to a lack of work-life balance and a stressful work environment.
Written by urgent.news from The Economic Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
