Bank employees across India observed ‘Black Sunday’ on September 27, wearing black as a mark of protest ahead of a three-day nationwide strike scheduled from September 28 to 30.

The protest was aimed at highlighting long-pending demands of bank staff, including the implementation of a five-day working week.

Several bank branches remained open on Sunday as part of efforts to reduce the disruption expected during the strike. The unions have been pressing for all Saturdays to be declared holidays, a provision that was included in the wage settlement reached in 2024 but has yet to receive the required government approval.

Why Are Bank Employees Going On Strike?

The central demand is the introduction of a five-day banking week, under which employees would have Saturdays and Sundays off.

Bank unions argue that the demand was already agreed upon as part of the 2024 wage agreement and have been seeking its implementation. The delay in final approval has become a major point of contention between employee organisations and the authorities.

Employees Highlight Work Pressure

As part of the campaign, bank employees have also shared accounts of the pressures they face while handling customer service, loan recoveries and other responsibilities.

Some workers have spoken about difficult recovery situations, including instances where employees allegedly faced threats from customers. There have also been accounts of staff being pressured to arrange or cover customers’ loan instalments from their own money.

Unions say such experiences underline the workload and pressures faced by frontline banking staff.

Concerns Over Impact On Customers

The proposed strike has also raised concerns about disruption to banking services. Critics have questioned the need for another change in working arrangements given the number of existing bank holidays.

However, several essential banking services are expected to remain accessible through digital channels. Customers can continue using platforms such as UPI, internet banking, mobile banking and ATMs for many routine transactions.

The three-day strike is expected to affect branch-based services, including certain cash, cheque and other in-person banking operations.

The unions are using the ‘Black Sunday’ campaign to build momentum ahead of the September 28-30 strike and press the government to act on their demand for a five-day banking week.