Banks open Sunday ahead of three-day nationwide strike

All public sector banks and regional rural banks are open on Sunday, September 27, after the finance ministry directed them to operate ahead of a three-day nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) from September 28 to 30. The Reserve Bank of India has also approved the functioning of branches, ATM-linked branches and currency chests on the day.

The UFBU is demanding a five-day banking week, improved pension benefits, a uniform dearness allowance formula for pensioners, and an option for employees under the National Pension System to switch to the Old Pension Scheme. The government has appealed to unions to defer the strike, but a conciliation meeting last week ended without resolution. The strike coincides with the half-yearly closing of banks on September 30, which involves reconciliation and provisioning.

Central government employees received their September salary on Friday, and those affiliated with affected banks can expect salaries to be disbursed Sunday. For private sector employees, the salary credit date depends on their employer's payroll process and remains unchanged. Customers can use digital banking channels such as mobile banking, UPI and ATMs during the strike.