One-day strike for a five-day week: Services of state-owned and old-generation banks are affected

Bank employees observe a one-day nationwide strike in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradeh on Tuesday over the demand for a five-day work week | Photo credit: ANI

However, at the new generation of private sector banks, it was ‘business as usual’ as their employees were not unionized.

UFBU claimed the strike was a success.

Check clarification

As bank employees up to mid-level, who constitute the majority of bank employees, are part of the strike, banking services including check clearing at twelve public sector banks and a few old generation private sector banks were affected.

There are nine constituent trade unions/associations in UFBU: 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 Employees Congress, Indian National Bank Officers Congress, National Organization of Bank Workers and National Organization of Bank Officers.

Private sector

Public sector banks and some private sector banks have already informed the stock exchanges about the strike. For example, SBI said in its regulatory filing last week: “We advise that while the bank has taken necessary measures to ensure normal functioning of its branches and offices on the day of the strike, it is likely that work at the bank may be affected by the strike.”

While RBI, LIC, GIC, etc. currently operate five days a week with all Saturdays of the month being public holidays, banks have only second and fourth Saturdays as public holidays.

CH Venkatachalam, general secretary of All India Bank Employees’ Association, said, “Foreign exchange market, money market, stock exchanges, etc. do not work on Saturdays. Central government and state government offices do not work on Saturdays. Therefore, there is no reason why banks cannot introduce five-day banking.”

“From UFBU, we have demanded the introduction of a five-day working week in the banking sector. In December 2023, after consultations (with IBA and the government), it was agreed that the daily working hours from Monday to Friday will be extended by 40 minutes and the remaining Saturdays will be declared as holidays. This has been strongly recommended to the government. But unfortunately, this has been waiting for approval for two years.”

S Nagarajan, general secretary of the All India Bank Officers’ Association, said the ongoing employment conditions agreed under bipartite wage negotiations, including a five-day work week, a productivity-related incentive for the workforce and an adjustment in pensions, should be implemented.

Bank employees and officials held demonstrations across the country demanding the introduction of a five-day working week.

Published on January 27, 2026