Bank strike from September 28-30: In lieu of the upcoming three-day bank strike from September 28 to September 30, the Finance Ministry has asked all ministries and departments to arrange for the advance payment of September salaries.The salaries and pensions for central government employees and pensions will be credited on September 25, ahead of a three-day bank strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU). The proposed strike also falls during the half-yearly closing period for the banking sector.
Central government employees to get salaries in advance
With a nationwide bank strike proposed for September 28-30, 2026, the government has decided to advance the payment of salaries, wages and pensions for central government employees.“In view of a three-day nationwide bank strike proposed from September 28-30, 2026… “the Government has decided that the salary/wages/pensions of all Central Government Employees for the month of September 2026 may be drawn and disbursed by the Central Government offices (including Defence, Posts & Telecommunications) on September 25 2026 (Friday), ” according to an office memorandum issued by the Controller General of Accounts under the Finance Ministry.The memorandum also said September 2026 wages for industrial employees of the central government could be released in advance on September 25.Similarly, September pensions for all central government pensioners may be paid by banks or PAOs on September 25, it said.“The salary/wages/pension so disbursed is to be treated as advance payments and will be subject to adjustment after the full month’s salary/wages/pension of each employee/pensioner is determined. The adjustment, if any, will be made without exception from the salary/wages for October 2026,” it said according to a PTI report.
Guidelines for other transactions
Since the proposed strike falls towards the end of the current quarter, the government has also advised that payments and other banking transactions due towards the close of September 2026 be completed ahead of schedule wherever possible. The move is aimed at preventing delays or disruption arising from the proposed strike.“The concerned Ministries/Departments are requested to bring these instructions to the notice of their offices for necessary action immediately,” it said.The memorandum further stated that the Reserve Bank of India has been asked to convey these instructions to the banks’ paying branches.
Banks to stay open on Sunday, September 27
Separately, the finance ministry has directed all banks, including Regional Rural Banks, to operate on Sunday to facilitate customers in view of the proposed strike.Several public sector banks have already begun informing customers that they can use digital banking facilities, including mobile banking, ATMs, internet banking, BC Points and UPI, for their banking requirements if the strike goes ahead.Customers have also been advised by banks to complete important transactions before the proposed strike dates to minimise inconvenience.The three-day strike is also scheduled to overlap with the banking sector’s half-yearly closing on September 30. The date is significant for activities including reconciliation, provisioning, as well as treasury and market operations.All banks, including Regional Rural Banks, will operate on Sunday to facilitate customers in view of the strike announced by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), the finance ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.The government said it has taken advance measures to ensure that customers continue to have access to banking services, particularly as the proposed UFBU strike from September 28 to 30, 2026, follows the weekend holidays on September 26 and 27.“In order to ensure that the genuine banking needs of the public are not adversely affected for an extended period, all Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks will function normally on Sunday, the 27th of September, 2026,” it said.The Reserve Bank of India has also approved the continued operation of all bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on September 27, according to the statement.
Why are bank unions striking?
The UFBU, which says it represents around 90% of the banking workforce, has announced a three-day strike from September 28.One of its key demands is the introduction of a five-day banking week, along with other demands.The government and bank managements have urged the unions to postpone the proposed strike. At the same time, steps have been taken to ensure that essential banking services remain available without interruption, the statement said.Apart from the demand for a five-day banking week, the UFBU has sought improvements and an update to pension benefits, a common dearness allowance formula for all pensioners and an option for employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) to move to the old pension scheme (OPS).Several public sector banks have meanwhile issued customer advisories encouraging people to rely on digital banking options such as Mobile Banking, ATMs, Internet Banking, BC Points and UPI if the strike goes ahead.Customers have also been asked to complete important banking transactions before the proposed strike dates to avoid disruption or inconvenience.