Banks to Open on Sunday, But for How Long? Customers Advised to Be Prepared Ahead of Strike

The government is alert regarding the upcoming bank union strike, and banks are notifying their customers via email and text messages. Amidst this, the question arises: for how many hours will banks operate this Sunday?

Public sector and regional rural banks are set to go on a three-day strike starting this coming Monday, September 28. The strike will continue until September 30. To ensure uninterrupted banking services prior to the nationwide strike, a decision has been made to keep banks open on Sunday, September 27; however, the question remains regarding the operating hours.

It is worth noting that the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has proposed a three-day strike from September 28 to 30. This follows a one-day strike held on September 11. The bank unions are primarily demanding the implementation of a five-day banking week and the withdrawal of the performance-linked incentive scheme.

For how many hours will bank employees work on Sunday?

In view of the proposed strike, the government has decided to keep banks open on September 27. The Ministry of Finance stated that these measures were taken in light of the nationwide bank strike. The RBI has granted approval for all bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches, and currency chests to remain open on September 27. Consequently, operations on this Sunday—falling just before the strike—will proceed as they do on regular working days. This means customers can visit branches between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to carry out their banking transactions.

Instructions to Disburse Salaries on September 25

Additionally, the Ministry of Finance has issued instructions to disburse salaries prior to the strike. The Ministry of Finance has directed all departments and ministries to disburse salaries and pensions to all Central Government employees ahead of schedule—specifically on September 25—in light of the upcoming bank strike. According to an office memorandum issued by the Controller General of Accounts under the Ministry of Finance, the government took this decision considering the proposed three-day nationwide bank strike scheduled for September 28–30.

Banks are informing customers that branches will remain open on Sunday.

It is worth noting that, in view of the nationwide bank strike, nationalized banks such as SBI, CBI, BOB, and UBI are informing customers—via social media, email, and mobile messages—that their branches will remain open on the Sunday preceding the strike. This initiative aims to ensure customers do not face unnecessary inconvenience during the strike and can utilize this additional working day to complete their banking transactions.