Bank Employees Step Up Demand for Five-Day Work Week

Bank employees and officers across several parts of India have intensified their demand for the introduction of a five-day banking week, with demonstrations held in cities including Shivamogga, Nizamabad and Jammu.
The protests were organised under the banner of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which has been urging the government to approve a five-day work week for the banking sector. The latest demonstrations follow a nationwide bank strike held on 27 January 2026 over the same issue.
In Nizamabad, employees and officers from public and private-sector banks gathered at Dharna Chowk, calling on the government to act on what they described as a long-standing demand. Protesters warned that they could consider an indefinite strike if the matter continues to remain unresolved.
Similar demonstrations were held at Bahu Plaza in Jammu, where employees called for all Saturdays to be declared holidays for bank staff.
UFBU representatives have argued that a five-day work week is increasingly compatible with customer service because of the rapid expansion of digital banking. ATMs, mobile banking, internet banking and electronic payment systems enable customers to access many banking services outside traditional branch operating hours.
The unions have also pointed to an agreement by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) to introduce five-day banking through the relevant Memorandum of Understanding, Settlement and Joint Note. The proposal was subsequently recommended to the government for approval.
However, unions say the continued delay is contributing to growing frustration among bank employees and officers. UFBU has indicated that its constituent unions will consider the next course of action, including further strike measures, if the demand remains unresolved.
The demonstrations concluded with renewed calls for the government to approve a five-day banking week and declare every Saturday a holiday for bank employees.
The issue now remains closely watched by the banking workforce, with unions signalling that further industrial action could follow if there is no movement on the proposal.
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