Nationwide Bank Employees’ Strike Raises Questions Over February 12 Operations
Bank Strike: Will Branches Remain Open on February 12? Know the details: Bank employees across the country will be on strike tomorrow, Thursday, February 12. This strike, called by several bank unions, has raised concerns about its impact on regular banking services. While an official bank holiday has not yet been announced, several public sector banks, including Bank of Baroda, SBI, and PNB, have warned of service disruptions on the day of the strike.
Which unions are participating in the bank strike?
The strike has been called by major bank organizations, including the All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), the All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA), and the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI). Ten central trade unions (CTUs) across the country have supported it.
Why will bank employees go on strike? The main reason for the strike is the four new labor codes notified in November 2025, which will replace 29 existing labor laws. Trade unions argue that the new rules are anti-labor and impose strict union registration requirements, weakening labor protections. Bank unions have been demanding the fulfillment of long-pending demands, such as implementing a five-day banking week and improving work-life balance for employees.
Will banks remain open or closed? No major bank or the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has yet declared an official banking holiday on February 12. This means that banks will remain open, but branch-level services may be slightly disrupted if a large number of employees join the strike. Public sector lenders such as State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank (PNB), and Indian Bank have anticipated operational impacts, especially at physical branches and service counters.
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