Delhi: Banking services across India are expected to face major disruption as bank employee unions prepare for a nationwide strike on January 27. The proposed action comes amid unresolved demands for a five-day work week, a long-standing issue between bank unions and the government.
If the strike goes ahead as planned, customers of public sector banks may experience interruptions for three consecutive days. January 25 and 26 are already non-working days due to the weekend, meaning regular banking operations may resume only after the strike day. Several public sector banks have already issued alerts to customers, advising them to complete important transactions in advance.
The decision to proceed with the strike was taken after discussions between union representatives and government officials failed to yield a resolution. Conciliation meetings were held over two days under the supervision of the Chief Labour Commissioner. Representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Department of Financial Services, the Indian Banks’ Association, and senior bank management participated, along with members of all nine unions under the United Forum of Bank Unions.
Despite detailed deliberations, no agreement was reached, prompting the unions to confirm the strike date. Bank employees currently receive holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, along with Sundays. However, during the wage settlement finalised in March 2024, there was a mutual understanding to move towards a full five-day work schedule.
Union leaders argue that the change would not reduce productivity, as employees have already agreed to work longer hours on weekdays. They also point out that institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, insurance companies, stock exchanges, and most government offices already operate on a five-day schedule.
