5 days working demanded
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 27: Like other parts of the country all the branches of 12 nationalised banks and their affiliated units remained closed in response to one day strike call given by United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) across Jammu & Kashmir UT today.
The irate bank employees held massive demonstrations across the UT demanding five days week criteria in banking sector. With banners and placards in their hands, the protesting employees were raising slogans in support of their demand of implementing five days working in a week in the banking sector across the country.
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The protesting employees said that with the dearth of staff they are overburdened which even affects their efficiency and health hence the work culture of five days a week in the banking sector implementation has become imperative.
They warned that in case Government failed to concede the demand they will be constrained to intensify the agitation across country. In Jammu the massive protest by bank employees was held at Bahu Fort where hundreds of bank employees of the Jammu district assembled and showed solidarity with the UFBU call. The demonstration was also held at Kathua , Srinagar in Kashmir Valley and Leh city in Ladakh region, Rajesh Mehta of All India Bank Officers Confederation told Excelsior.
He said eight lakh bank employees participated in the nationwide strike today on the call of UFBU. He said in case the Government fails to concede the demand of five days working culture in Banking sector, the UFBU and other sister organizations will decide the future course of action in the meeting later. He however expressed hope that something tangible will emerge.
In a statement issued by the UFBU said the nationwide strike and demonstrations was observed as part of the ongoing, countrywide agitational programme of the Union demanding the immediate implementation of a five-day work week in the banking industry.
As a result of the strike call, banking operations across the country remained closed, reflecting the overwhelming response and unity of bank employees and officers. Large-scale demonstrations were held at all major centres, where employees participated in substantial numbers, voicing their collective demand for work-life balance, humane working conditions, and adherence to settled agreements.
AIBOC leaders Rajesh Mehta and Vishal Verma said that the demand for a five-day work week is long-pending and legitimate, and has been agreed in principle between the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and UFBU during wage revision discussions in March 2024. The necessary Government approval and formal notification have been inordinately delayed. This prolonged inaction has compelled bank employees to intensify democratic and Constitutional forms of protest. In past three strike calls were deferred on assurances but this time they were forced to resort to strike, they added.
They said that the Bank employees today face unprecedented workload pressures, extended working hours, and frequent deployment on holidays and weekends, even as banking has rapidly transitioned to digital platforms. With the majority of routine transactions now conducted online, the continued insistence on a six-day work week is untenable, outdated, and detrimental to employee well-being.
Across the country, employees and officers from public sector banks, many private sector banks, and regional rural banks stood united under the UFBU banner.
Placards, speeches, and memoranda submitted during the demonstrations reiterated that bank employees are not opposing service to the public, but are seeking fair, sustainable, and humane working conditions that ultimately strengthen the banking system.
UFBU emphasized that the strike was peaceful, disciplined, and entirely within the constitutional framework. The responsibility for disruption of banking services lies squarely with the continued delay in decision-making, despite repeated representations, discussions, and assurances.
UFBU leaders appealed to the Government of India to approve, implement, and notify the five-day work week in banks without further delay.
UFBU reaffirmed its resolve to continue the agitational programme until justice is delivered. The unity, discipline, and massive participation witnessed today send a clear and unequivocal message that bank employees across the country are determined to secure their rightful demand.
Meanwhile, in a handout issued by All India Bank Officers Association, Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh and Jammu Province Bank Employees Federation affiliated to AIBEA said bank employees gathered in front of Punjab National Bank, (PNB) Bakshi Nagar, here and held a massive demonstration.
The Joint Forum strongly reiterated its long pending demand of implementation of five days banking week, a demand that is not only justified but essential for ensuring the well being, efficiency and dignity of banking professionals across the country.
It said Indian Banking Association (IBA) had entered into a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 8 in 2024 with four officers and five workmen organizations to resolve the five days banking demand and unresolved residual issues within six months from the date of signing MOU but nothing effective has been provided to working class throughout the country, it added.
The Association said the protest was organised under the joint leadership of com. Arun Gupta, general secretary, JPBEF and com. Ashwani Pradhan, general secretary, AIBOA, JKLC.
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