Jammu,, Sept 24th:
The banking sector is heading towards a major confrontation with the government as the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has announced a three-day nationwide strike from September 28 to 30, followed by an indefinite strike from October 26, 2026, over the prolonged delay in implementing a five-day working week for bank employees.
A massive demonstration was held in Jammu on Thursday, where employees and officers from various banks raised their voice against what they described as continued government inaction on the long-pending demand. Leaders of the seven constituent unions of the UFBU addressed the gathering and warned of intensified agitation if the issue is not resolved.
The UFBU comprises the All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC), National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE), All India Bank Officers’ Association (AIBOA), Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), Indian National Bank Employees Federation (INBEF) and Indian National Bank Officers Congress (INBOC).
According to the unions, nearly eight lakh bank employees and officers across public sector, private sector, foreign, regional rural and cooperative banks are expected to participate in the proposed strike.
Speaking during the demonstration, AIBOC J&K and Ladakh Secretary Comrade Rajesh Mehta said the unions were demanding government approval for a five-day working week, under which all Saturdays would be declared holidays.
At present, banks observe holidays only on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.
Mehta said the proposal had already been recommended by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) following the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the IBA and UFBU on December 7, 2023, and the Settlement/Joint Note dated March 8, 2024.
He alleged that despite repeated representations and protest programmes, the proposal has remained pending for nearly two years.
The unions recalled that they had earlier announced a two-day strike on March 24 and 25, 2025, but deferred the agitation after the government conveyed that the matter was under active consideration. However, according to UFBU leaders, no final approval has been granted so far.
The unions have now escalated their protest, announcing a three-day strike from September 28 to 30, with an indefinite nationwide strike beginning October 26 if the issue remains unresolved.
UFBU leaders argued that a five-day working week is already operational in several major financial and government institutions, including the Reserve Bank of India, LIC and GIC, while central and state government offices generally function from Monday to Friday.
They further pointed out that stock exchanges and several money and foreign exchange market operations remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
The unions maintained that converting the remaining Saturdays into holidays would not significantly disrupt banking services, particularly with the rapid expansion of digital banking, ATMs, internet banking and other alternative banking channels.
The demand has been under discussion for years. During the 10th Bipartite Settlement and 7th Joint Note in 2015, the second and fourth Saturdays were declared holidays, while the remaining Saturdays continued to be working days.
According to the unions, assurances were subsequently given that the demand for a complete five-day working week would be examined.
In 2022, discussions were initiated between the government, IBA and UFBU on increasing daily working hours to compensate for the additional holidays. Following further deliberations in 2023, the unions said it was agreed that daily working hours from Monday to Friday would be increased by 40 minutes, paving the way for all Saturdays to be declared holidays.
With the government approval still awaited, the UFBU has now intensified its pressure campaign and appealed to the banking public to cooperate in view of the disruption expected during the proposed agitation.
The September 28–30 strike and the proposed indefinite strike from October 26 could potentially affect banking operations across the country if the dispute remains unresolved.