September 10, 2026: Banking services across Gujarat are expected to face disruption on Friday, September 11, as bank employees and officers begin a statewide strike demanding implementation of a five-day banking week.
According to the Gujarat Bank Strike call by the Maha Gujarat Bank Employees’ Association (MGBEA), around 5,400 bank branches across Gujarat are expected to remain closed, with nearly 75,000 employees and officers participating. The agitation could affect banking transactions worth approximately ₹15,000 crore across the state.
Why Are Bank Employees Going on Strike?
The main demand of the bank unions is to implement a five-day working week, under which banks would remain closed on all Saturdays. Currently, banks generally observe holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays, while other Saturdays remain working days.
The unions say the five-day banking proposal was included in an agreement between the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and bank unions in March 2024. Under the proposal, employees would work an additional 40 minutes from Monday to Friday in exchange for holidays on all Saturdays. The proposal has reportedly remained pending for approval for more than two years.
The All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) also confirmed that the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) would proceed with the September 11 nationwide strike, citing the lack of a concrete outcome on five-day banking.
Which Banking Services Could Be Affected?
Customers visiting bank branches may face disruption in several offline services during the strike.
Likely affected services include:
- Cash deposits and withdrawals at branches
- Cheque-related work
- Account-related services
- Over-the-counter transactions
- Other branch-based customer services
However, digital banking services are expected to continue for routine transactions, although customers should plan ahead for any urgent banking requirements.
How Many Bank Branches Will Be Affected Gujarat Bank Strike?
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Strike date | September 11, 2026 |
| Bank branches expected to be affected | Around 5,400 |
| Employees & officers | Nearly 75,000 |
| Estimated transactions affected | Around ₹15,000 crore |
| Main demand | Five-day banking week |
| Organisation | Maha Gujarat Bank Employees’ Association |
| Wider union body | United Forum of Bank Unions |
More Bank Strikes Planned in September and October
The September 11 Gujarat bank strike is reportedly the first phase of a broader agitation. If the issue remains unresolved, bank employees have planned another strike from September 28 to September 30. This could create an extended closure because September 26 and 27 fall on the fourth Saturday and Sunday. An indefinite strike has also been planned from October 26 if the demands are not resolved.
What Should Gujarat Bank Customers Do?
Customers who need branch-based banking services should ideally complete urgent work before the strike. For routine payments and transfers, customers can continue using available digital banking options such as UPI, mobile banking and internet banking. However, anyone requiring cash, cheque processing or in-person account services should take the strike into account while planning their transactions.
Seven Banking Unions Participating
The agitation involves seven major banking unions:
- AIBEA
- AIBOC
- NCBE
- BEFI
- INBOC
- INBEF
- AIBOA
The unions maintain that introducing a five-day week would not necessarily reduce customer-facing banking hours because employees have proposed extending working hours from Monday to Friday.
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