RBI unions back nationwide bank strike over 5-day week, PLI scheme

Top trade unions representing Reserve Bank of India (RBI) employees and workers have extended full support to the three-day nationwide strike called by bank staff from September 28 to 30, while fiercely criticising the central bank for directing commercial banks to remain open on Sunday.

In a joint communication, the All India Reserve Bank Employees Association (AIRBEA) and the All India Reserve Bank Workers Federation (AIRBWF) expressed solidarity with the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU)—an umbrella body of seven national bank unions representing over one million employees across public, private, foreign, regional rural, and co-operative banks.

The central issue driving the industrial action is the long-pending implementation of a 5-day work week. Unions highlighted that an agreement was reached between the Indian Banks Association (IBA) and UFBU in December 2023, with the Department of Financial Services (DFS) assuring progress in March 2025. Workers have offered to extend daily working hours to maintain equivalent operational service, ensuring no inconvenience to customers.

Unions also condemned recent modifications to the Profit Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme introduced by the DFS. Under the revised norms, top executives (Scales IV to VIII), who constitute less than five per cent of the workforce, are set to receive incentives equivalent to 365 days’ wages, while the remaining 95 per cent of staff will receive around 15 days’ wages. Terming this discrimination a gross injustice, the unions argued it undermines the collective effort required in banking operations.

Taking sharp aim at the central bank, AIRBEA and AIRBWF strongly opposed the RBI’s directive instructing banks to stay operational on Sunday, September 27. They urged the regulator to persuade the Finance Ministry toward a peaceful resolution rather than taking a confrontational stance.

To demonstrate solidarity, RBI staff will hold gate demonstrations on September 28 across offices with posters and placards.