Banks to remain closed for three consecutive days; Complete urgent transactions today itself

NEW DELHI: The nationwide strike called by the bank employees will be staged tomorrow (Friday Sept 11). The employees decided to go ahead with the strike after talks held under the mediation of the deputy chief labour commissioner failed. Since Saturday and Sunday are bank holidays, tomorrow’s strike will result in banks remaining closed for three consecutive days. In places where Monday is a holiday for Vinayaka Chaturthi, banks will remain closed for four consecutive days.

The bank employees are demanding a five-day working week with two days off. They decided to go on strike as this demand has not been accepted. The unions have said that if their demands are not met, they will move towards an indefinite strike. The government has so far not taken a favourable stand on the employees’ demands. The government maintains that a decision can be reached only after detailed discussions.

The second phase of the strike has been announced for September 28th, 29th and 30th. September 27th is a Sunday, while 26th is fourth Saturday and a bank holiday. Therefore, banks will remain closed for five consecutive days. The unions have then announced an indefinite strike from October 26.

As banking services are likely to be disrupted for several consecutive days, customers who have urgent transactions should complete them today itself. The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), the joint platform of bank unions. The unions allege that the Centre has failed to implement, even after two and a half years, the recommendation to provide banks with two holidays every week.

The strike has been announced by the UFBU, a joint organisation of seven bank unions in the country, including BEFI, AIBEA, AIBOC and NCBE. There are also concerns that the strike could affect the functioning of banks, as it is taking place at a time when half-yearly financial closing activities are due to be completed by the end of this month.