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Bank Unions Strike for 5-Day Week, Assure Minimal Customer Disruption

Members of the United Forum of Bank Unions staged a peaceful nationwide one-day strike, primarily demanding the implementation of a five-day working week. Union leaders, including Sanjay Kuthe, emphasized the long-pending nature of this demand, delayed by over two years. The strike led to the closure of branch-level operations but unions ensured ATMs and digital banking platforms remained functional to minimize customer inconvenience. The unions warned of further steps if their demands for better work-life balance continue to be unaddressed by the government.

Key Points: Bank Unions Stage Nationwide Strike for 5-Day Work Week

  • Peaceful nationwide bank strike
  • Demand for five-day working week
  • ATMs and digital services operational
  • Strike aimed at government attention
  • Prior customer communication done
2 min read

United Forum of Bank Union stage peaceful 1-day strike in Kolkata

Bank employees across India held a peaceful one-day strike demanding a five-day working week. Unions ensured ATMs and digital services remained operational.

"We demand the government to implement five-day working days for employees in a week. It is a long-pending demand - Sanjay Kuthe"

Kolkata, January 27

Members of the United Forum of Bank Unions staged a peaceful protest in Kolkata on Tuesday as part of a nationwide one-day strike to press for several long-pending demands, including the implementation of a five-day working week for bank employees.

Visuals from the site showed union members assembling outside a bank and raising slogans while participating in the strike. However, the protest remained peaceful.

The strike was called by various bank employee unions, with leaders stating that the protest was peaceful and aimed at drawing the government's attention to unresolved issues. Despite the strike, union leaders said they had made efforts to minimise inconvenience to customers. Banks had informed customers in advance about the strike, and alternative services such as ATMs and digital banking platforms were kept operational.

Speaking to ANI, Sanjay Kuthe, General Secretary of the Indian Bank Officers Association for Maharashtra and Goa, said the demand for a five-day workweek has been pending for a long time.

"We demand the government to implement five-day working days for employees in a week. It is a long-pending demand and has been delayed by over 2 years," he said. Kuthe added that the strike would not significantly impact customers, as prior arrangements had been made.

"However, there will be no major issue for the bank customers as we have already informed them from before and all our ATMs and digital services are operative," he said.

The one-day strike led to the closure of branch-level banking operations in many parts of the country, affecting services such as cash withdrawals and deposits at counters. However, digital banking services, mobile banking applications and ATM services continued to function normally, providing customers with access to essential banking facilities.

Bank unions have maintained that a five-day working week would help improve work-life balance for employees and align the banking sector with other segments of the financial industry. They have urged the government to address the issue at the earliest. The unions stated that while Tuesday's strike was limited to one day, further steps could be considered if their demands continue to remain unaddressed.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
It's good that the protest was peaceful and they informed customers in advance. I had to go to the branch today but saw the notice yesterday, so used the ATM instead. No major hassle. But yes, their demands seem genuine.
R
Rahul R
While I sympathize with the employees, a one-day strike still causes disruption for many common people, especially small business owners and senior citizens who are not comfortable with digital banking. Hope a solution is found soon without frequent strikes.
A
Aman W
Other sectors have moved to 5-day weeks. Why should banking be left behind? It's high time. The government should implement this. Better rested employees mean better customer service. Win-win situation.
J
Jessica F
Respect for conducting a peaceful protest. In many countries, bank employees have a standard 5-day week. India's banking sector is modernizing, and employee welfare is a key part of that. Digital services being operational shows they considered the public too.
K
Karthik V
The demand is pending for over 2 years? That's too long. If the issue is genuine, it should be resolved. Continuous delays lead to frustration and more strikes. Authorities need to be more proactive.

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