The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) announced a statewide strike to demand a five-day workweek and the implementation of long-pending accords, which is expected to have an impact on banking services nationwide on January 27, 2026. The All India Bank Officers Confederation announced the decision in a circular on January 4. The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and bank unions began pay revision discussions in March 2024, and the unions claimed that the government’s lack of responsiveness on matters that had already been agreed upon pushed them to call for a strike.
The UFBU claims that bank workers have been calling for a five-day workweek with Saturdays designated as holidays, in accordance with a number of other governmental and financial organizations. Banks are currently only closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. Union representatives stated that although it was agreed upon during previous agreements that all Saturdays would be vacations, the decision has not yet been put into effect. They said that in order to maintain staffing levels and customer service, bank personnel have demonstrated flexibility by agreeing to put in an additional 40 minutes of work every day, Monday through Friday.
The Reserve Bank of India, Life Insurance Corporation, General Insurance Corporation, stock exchanges, money market institutions, and national and state government agencies already adhere to a five-day work schedule, the unions noted. They contended that banks ought to receive the same treatment as these institutions. To raise awareness of their demands, bank unions have organized protests and demonstrations across the nation in recent months. Additionally, they have used social media to raise awareness of the problem and rally support.
Due to the extended vacation period, the strike is anticipated to have a substantial impact. January 26 is Republic Day, January 25 is Sunday, and January 24 is the fourth Saturday. Since the strike is scheduled for January 27, banking services might be interrupted for a number of days in a row. Both public and private sector banks are anticipated to have disruptions in branch operations, check clearing, cash transactions, and customer support on the day of the strike. Online and ATM banking services, however, might still be available, albeit with little assistance. The UFBU has urged bank workers nationwide to join the walkout, threatening to take additional action if their demands are not met.
