Imphal: Bank workers in Manipur are heading for a shutdown. The United Forum of Bank Unions, a coalition of seven major labor groups, intends to pull staff off the floor indefinitely starting October 26. Protests began today outside the State Bank of India branch on MG Avenue. More demonstrations will follow on September 28, 29, and 30.
The unions want a five-day work week. They point to a March 2024 agreement with the Indian Banks Association that promised all Saturdays off in exchange for a 40-minute extension to daily shifts. That deal sits in limbo at the Ministry of Finance. Union leaders argue the change maintains service levels, noting, "The unions maintained that five-day banking would not reduce customer service hours, as the additional 40 minutes each working day would compensate for the loss of Saturday banking."
The conflict escalated after conciliation talks on September 8 and 9 failed to yield a government commitment. Officials from the Finance Ministry joined the Chief Labour Commissioner and Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner at those meetings, but nothing changed. The unions now refuse to back down.
Beyond the schedule, the coalition lists a string of demands. They want the Old Pension Scheme restored and higher gratuity ceilings. They also seek pension updates, uniform dearness allowances, and a new Leave Bank. Finally, they insist on hiring more clerical and sub-staff, filling vacant director roles, and having banks pay medical premiums for retirees. The strike means doors will lock and services will vanish across the state.
Updated at 12th September 2026 at 2:00am
The scope of the agitation extends beyond state lines. Employees in the Churachandpur district hit the picket line Friday at the State Bank of India branch on Tedim Road. This participation aligns with a broader, nationwide effort coordinated by the same coalition of seven unions.
The forum explicitly identified itself as a massive collective consisting of the All India Bank Employees Association, All India Bank Officers Confederation, National Confederation of Bank Employees, All India Bank Officers Association, Bank Employees Federation of India, Indian National Bank Officers Congress, and the Indian National Bank Employees Federation. Their reach covers public, private, foreign, regional rural, and cooperative banking sectors.
New points of contention have emerged as well. The unions are now actively pushing back against the Performance Linked Incentive scheme. They are also calling for a revision of ex-gratia payments for those who retired before November 2022, framing their fight as part of the broader 12th Bipartite Settlement.
Comments