Nationwide Banks Strike Confirmed for February 12
Banking services across India are braced for a significant disruption as major bank unions have officially announced their decision to join a nationwide general strike on February 12, 2026.
The call, led by prominent bodies including the All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) and the All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA), marks a unified front against the government’s recent labor and banking reforms.
Protesting the New Labour Codes
The primary catalyst for the strike is the government’s move to implement four new Labour Codes, which recently replaced 29 existing laws.
Bank unions argue that these codes are “anti-worker” and weaken the bargaining power of trade unions.
A major point of contention is a provision allowing establishments with fewer than 300 employees to terminate staff without seeking government approval.
Union leaders claim this move prioritizes “Ease of Doing Business” for multinational corporations at the expense of job security for the working class.
The Fight for a 5-Day Work Week
Beyond legislative reforms, the unions are intensifying their long-standing demand for a five-day banking week.
Although the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and unions reached an in-principle agreement on this in March 2024, the final government notification remains pending.
“Most financial institutions like the RBI, LIC, and the share market already operate on a five-day schedule,” stated S. Nagarajan, General Secretary of AIBOA.
Unions argue that bank employees face immense pressure and that a 5-day week is essential for work-life balance.
To compensate for lost Saturdays, they have already agreed to extend daily working hours by 40 minutes.
Broad Charter of Demands Through the Strike
The strike on February 12 is part of a larger movement.
Ten Central Trade Unions and the Confederation of Central Government Employees are coordinating the movement.
Key demands include:
- 8th Pay Commission: Immediate modification of the Terms of Reference and a 20% interim relief for employees and pensioners.
- Pension Reforms: Scrapping the National Pension System (NPS) and restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
- Employment Stability: Stopping the “casualization” of work and outsourcing in public sector banks.
Digital services like UPI and Net Banking are expected to remain operational.
The 24-hour protest will likely paralyze physical branch activities such as cheque clearances and cash deposits.
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