Bank Unions Call Nationwide Strike on January 27 Over 5-Day Week Demand

Bank employees’ unions under the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) have threatened to go on a nationwide strike on January 27, 2026, demanding the implementation of a 5-day banking week. If the strike materialises, public sector banks could face operational disruptions for three consecutive days, as January 25 and 26 are holidays.

The unions argue that the move will not reduce productivity, citing an agreement to extend daily working hours by 40 minutes from Monday to Friday. Despite earlier discussions with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), the demand remains unresolved.

Background Of the Demand

Currently, bank employees enjoy holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, along with Sundays. The proposal to declare all Saturdays as holidays was agreed upon during the wage revision settlement between IBA and UFBU in March 2024.

However, the implementation has been delayed, prompting unions to escalate their demand. UFBU stated that the government has not responded positively, despite assurances that man-hours would remain unaffected under the revised schedule.

Industry Practices and Comparisons

UFBU pointed out that several financial and government institutions, including the Reserve Bank of India, Life Insurance Corporation and General Insurance Corporation, already follow a 5-day workweek. It also noted that markets such as foreign exchange, money markets and stock exchanges remain closed on Saturdays.

Central and state government offices similarly do not function on Saturdays. These comparisons strengthen the unions’ case for banks to align with prevailing practices across sectors.

Strike Details and Social Media Campaign

The nationwide strike is scheduled for January 27, 2026, and will involve employees and officers across public sector banks and select old-generation private banks. UFBU, an umbrella organisation representing nine major bank unions, has launched a social media campaign under the hashtag #5DayBankingNow to mobilise support.

The campaign has recorded 18,80,027 impressions and approximately 2,85,200 posts on X, indicating strong engagement among stakeholders. The unions maintain that the demand is aimed at improving work-life balance without compromising service efficiency.

Read More: RBI Flags Rising Risks in Unsecured Retail Lending.

Conclusion

The UFBU’s call for a nationwide strike underscores the growing demand for a 5-day banking week, a practice already adopted by several financial institutions. While unions argue that productivity will remain unaffected, the government’s response will determine whether the strike can be averted.

With strong social media traction and widespread participation expected, the issue has gained significant attention in the banking sector. Further developments will hinge on negotiations between the unions, IBA, and the government.

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