The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has announced a nationwide strike on January 27, intensifying its long-standing demand for the implementation of a five-day workweek in the banking sector. The decision comes after repeated appeals to the authorities failed to yield concrete results.
UFBU is an umbrella body representing nine major unions of bank employees and officers across the country. According to the forum, nearly 800,000 banking personnel are expected to participate in the strike, which could significantly impact banking services nationwide.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Y. Gopalakrishna, Secretary of the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation, and Shirish Nalgundwar, General Secretary of the Chhattisgarh Bank Employees’ Association, said the demand for a five-day work schedule has been pending for years despite assurances at various levels.
Union leaders stated that the proposed work structure would bring the banking sector in line with other government departments and improve work-life balance without affecting customer service. They also warned that continued delay in addressing the issue has left employees with no option but to resort to collective action.
The unions have urged the government and banking managements to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the issue and avert disruption to public banking services.
