New Delhi: Banking services across the country are likely to be significantly disrupted on January 27, 2026, as nearly eight lakh bank employees and officers go on a one-day nationwide strike. The protest has been called to press for the implementation of a five-day work week, with unions demanding that all Saturdays be declared official bank holidays. The proposed strike will see participation from public sector banks, private banks, foreign banks, regional rural banks and cooperative banks.
The strike has been announced by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), a joint platform representing nine major organisations of bank employees and officers. The forum has been raising issues related to working conditions, workload and work–life balance in the banking sector for several years. According to the unions, the demand for a five-day work week has remained unresolved despite earlier agreements and assurances.
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Union representatives said the issue of a five-day work week was formally included in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between UFBU and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) on December 7, 2023. The proposal was subsequently reaffirmed in the settlement and joint note signed on March 8, 2024. Under the proposal, daily working hours from Monday to Friday would be increased by 40 minutes, while all Saturdays would be declared holidays for banks.
Despite the IBA’s recommendation, unions allege that the proposal has been pending with the government for final approval. They say the continued delay has left bank employees with no option but to resort to industrial action. Union leaders argue that the issue goes beyond holidays and is closely linked to the work–life balance and mental well-being of bank staff, who face mounting pressure in an increasingly digitised banking environment.
UFBU has also recalled that during the 10th Bipartite Settlement and the 7th Joint Note in 2015, the government and the IBA had agreed to declare the second and fourth Saturdays as bank holidays. At the time, assurances were given that the remaining Saturdays would be reviewed at a later stage. The unions claim that despite repeated assurances over the years, no concrete steps have been taken to resolve the matter.
According to union sources, a proposed two-day strike scheduled for March 24 and 25, 2025, was deferred following assurances from the government that the demand would be examined positively. UFBU stated that employees had expected a timely decision thereafter, but with no tangible outcome so far, frustration among bank staff has grown, ultimately leading to the renewed call for a nationwide strike.
Unions have further argued that several key financial and government institutions in the country already operate under a five-day work week. These include the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), and the General Insurance Corporation (GIC). In addition, central and state government offices, stock exchanges, money markets and foreign exchange markets function only from Monday to Friday.
The unions contend that continuing Saturday work exclusively for bank employees amounts to discrimination. They point out that rising digital transactions, enhanced cyber security responsibilities, regulatory compliance requirements and growing customer expectations have significantly increased workload, without a corresponding improvement in working conditions or staffing levels.
During the strike, branch-level services such as cash transactions, cheque clearance, issuance of demand drafts and other counter services are expected to be affected. However, unions have indicated that alternative banking channels, including ATMs, internet banking and mobile banking services, are likely to remain operational. Customers have been advised to plan their banking activities in advance to avoid inconvenience.
Union leaders have appealed to the general public for cooperation, stating that the protest is aimed at long-term structural reform rather than short-term disruption. They have emphasised that improved working conditions for bank employees would ultimately translate into better customer service and a more resilient banking system.
Banking sector experts believe that if participation in the strike is widespread, its impact will be visible across commercial activity for the day, affecting both retail customers and businesses. For now, attention is focused on the response from the government and bank management, which will determine whether the standoff is resolved through dialogue or escalates into further industrial action in the coming weeks.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
