SBI customers will pay no charges for withdrawing ATM cash:Bank takes steps to provide relief to customers during the 3-day strike

SBI has announced that it will not charge customers for withdrawing cash from its ATMs from 28 to 30 September. During this period, branches will remain closed because of a strike by bank employees, who will protest their demand for a five-day working week. 90% of bank employees to join strike, operations to be affected Seven major bank unions from across the country are joining the strike, representing more than around 90% of bank employees. They include AIBEA, AIBOC, NCBE, AIBOA, BEFI, INBEF and INBOC. The unions said their protest would continue until the government fixes a firm date for implementing a five-day working week. Government and unions also at loggerheads over the PLI scheme Besides the five-day workweek, a dispute is also underway over the rules governing bonuses (PLI). The government has introduced a new bonus rule for senior officers, such as Scale 4 officers and those above them. Under the rule, officers who perform well may receive an incentive or bonus equivalent to 365 days’ basic salary. Bank unions are opposing this provision as well. Banks to remain open on Sunday, 27 September, to provide relief to customers The Finance Ministry has ordered all public sector and regional rural banks to remain open on Sunday, 27 September, as a three-day strike beginning on 28 September could bring operations at their branches to a complete standstill. This is to ensure that the general public does not face difficulty withdrawing money, clearing cheques and carrying out other essential tasks.