Banks to open September 27 ahead of proposed strike

Public-sector banks and regional rural banks are to operate normally on Sunday, September 27, after the Finance Ministry said the Reserve Bank of India had approved the opening ahead of a proposed nationwide bank strike from September 28 to 30. The ministry said the additional working day is intended to help customers access services before the planned industrial action and the preceding weekend holidays. The approval covers bank branches, offices, ATM-linked branches and currency chests, according to the ministry. Its announcement applies to public-sector banks and regional rural banks, which it said would function normally on Sunday. The ministry said the decision was intended to prevent customers’ banking needs from being affected for an extended period. The United Forum of Bank Unions has proposed a three-day strike beginning September 28. Its principal demand is a five-day banking week. The ministry and bank managements have appealed to the unions to defer the action and resolve outstanding demands through discussions. The strike’s final status remains unclear.