Bank employees demand five-day work week:United Forum of Bank Unions stages protest in Bhopal; warn of indefinite strike

Bank employees in Bhopal staged a protest demanding the implementation of a five-day banking work week (5-day week working) on Monday.
Employees from various public sector banks gathered in MP Nagar, where they also held a public meeting.
Union leaders warned that if the Central government fails to act soon, bank employees may resort to an indefinite strike. This was not the first protest on the issue. Bank employees have already held slogan-chanting demonstrations twice earlier. According to union representatives, the agitation will intensify if the long-pending demand continues to be ignored. Protest led by the United Forum of Bank Unions V.K. Sharma, Coordinator of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), Madhya Pradesh, said that bank officers and employees across the country are participating in the movement following the unions’ nationwide call. As part of the protest, a sit-in demonstration was held from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm in front of the Punjab National Bank, Indira Press Complex branch in MP Nagar. Officers and employees from all government-owned banks took part in the protest. Demand raised for over 10 lakh bank employees Sharma said that the UFBU represents around 10 lakh bank employees and officers working in bank branches and offices across India. The demand for a five-day work week was raised due to increasing work pressure, stress, and workload in the banking sector. Background: Banking work week agreement In 2015, a bipartite settlement between bank employees and management decided that banks would remain closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, while banks would function for a full day on the remaining Saturdays, replacing the earlier half-day system. During subsequent bipartite negotiations, unions demanded that all Saturdays be declared holidays, effectively introducing a five-day work week. However, the issue did not receive serious consideration during agreements signed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Agreement reached in December 2023, approval pending The issue was again raised during later negotiations, and in December 2023, a consensus was reached between the UFBU and bank management on implementing a five-day banking week. Following this agreement, bank management forwarded its recommendation, along with supporting notes, to the Finance Ministry of the Central government for approval. The proposal requires adjustments in working hours and approvals from the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Despite nearly two years having passed since the recommendation was sent, the government has yet to grant approval. Earlier strike postponed after government assurance Union leaders said the UFBU had earlier announced a two-day nationwide strike on March 24 and 25, 2025, but it was postponed three days before the strike following assurances from the Finance Ministry and bank management. Unions warn of renewed agitation Alleging deliberate delay in the approval process, the UFBU has decided to resume its agitation. Union leaders warned that if the demand remains unmet, bank employees may soon go on an indefinite strike in the coming days.