Bharat Bandh: Bank Employees to Join Nationwide Strike on 12 February, Here’s Why

New Delhi: Bank employees across India are set to participate in the nationwide general strike and roadblocks scheduled for 12 February 2026. This comes as central trade unions and farmer organizations protest against the government’s recently introduced four new labor codes and other labor policies perceived to be anti-worker.

The All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) has officially extended support to the strike. Bank officers’ organizations, including the All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA) and Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), have also urged their members to join. Consequently, most public sector banks are expected to remain closed on that day.

Who Called the Strike
Leading trade unions, such as the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU), LPF, and UTUC, have jointly called for the strike. Farmer organizations, including the United Kisan Morcha (UKM), have also extended their support. The protest primarily opposes the four new labor codes introduced in November 2025, which replaced 29 existing labor laws, and expresses broader concern over perceived “attacks on the working class.”

Bank Employees’ Demands
Bank employees have long demanded a five-day workweek, citing that institutions like the RBI, LIC, and stock exchanges already follow a five-day schedule. Currently, bank staff still work on the first and third Saturdays of every month, as well as any fifth Saturday in a month. During a letter issued on 28 January 2026, the heads of AIBEA, AIBOA, and BEFI called upon members to fully participate in the strike and refrain from performing clerical or operational duties on 12 February.

Previous Strikes
This is not the first strike of the year; bank employees and officers participated in a nationwide strike on 27 January 2026 as well.

The upcoming 12 February Bharat Bandh is expected to see widespread participation from bank employees, farmers, and other sections of the workforce, potentially affecting both banking services and daily life across the country.