Over 500 bank employees protest in Patiala for five-day work week

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UFBU warns of indefinite strike from October 26 if demand remains unresolved

Patiala, September 11

Around eight lakh bank officers and employees across the country went on strike, acting on a call by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), with more than 500 bank staff participating in a protest outside SBI Sheranwala Gate in Patiala.

The protesting bank officers and employees demanded implementation of a five-day working week in the banking sector, saying the issue had been pending before the government for several years.

Union leaders said the second and fourth Saturdays were already holidays for bank employees, and demanded that the remaining Saturdays also be declared holidays.

According to the union, an agreement on five-day working in the banking sector was reached in 2023. Under the proposal, working hours from Monday to Friday were to be increased by 40 minutes each day, while the remaining Saturdays were to be declared holidays.

Bank trade union leaders alleged that the proposal had been awaiting government approval for nearly two years.

They also said a two-day nationwide strike had been called in March 2025 over the issue. The strike was later deferred after the government assured the unions that the matter would be considered.

The unions have now renewed their demand for early approval of the five-day working system.

They warned that if the demand was not accepted, bank employees would launch an indefinite strike from October 26, 2026.

The Patiala protest was part of demonstrations organised across the country under the UFBU banner.