BANK EMPLOYEES & OFFICERS HOLD MASSIVE DEMONSTRATION AT CHANDIGARH FOR IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF FIVE-DAY BANKING

BANK EMPLOYEES & OFFICERS HOLD MASSIVE DEMONSTRATION AT CHANDIGARH FOR IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF FIVE-DAY BANKING

Chandigarh 13 August ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Bank employees and officers from various banks today held a massive demonstration at Bank Square, Sector 17, Chandigarh, as part of the nationwide call given by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), demanding immediate implementation of the long-pending Five-Day Banking Week. Demonstrations were organised after office hours in State Capitals and important towns and centres across the country under the banner of UFBU. The programme follows the nationwide strike observed on 27 January 2026 on the same demand. UFBU expressed serious concern over the continued delay despite the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) having agreed to the introduction of Five-Day Banking in the MoU as well as the Settlement/Joint Note and having recommended the matter to the Government.

Addressing the gathering, the union leaders said that the demand for Five-Day Banking is neither new nor unreasonable. Bank employees and officers have been patiently awaiting implementation of an understanding arrived at through the established process of collective bargaining. They questioned why an issue already agreed upon between IBA and the unions continues to remain pending for Government approval. The speakers emphasised that the banking workforce has consistently stood with the nation during every major challenge — including financial crises, demonetisation, the COVID-19 pandemic and implementation of various Government schemes. They stated that Five-Day Banking is now a question of fairness, dignity of labour, work-life balance and a modern working environment, and urged the Government of India to honour the commitment without any further delay.

The leaders further pointed out that modern banking is no longer dependent solely upon physical branch operations. Digital banking, ATMs, mobile banking, internet banking and electronic payment systems provide customers access to essential banking services round the clock. Five-Day Banking can therefore be implemented without compromising customer convenience or operational efficiency. The demonstrators cautioned that the prolonged delay in implementing an already negotiated and agreed issue is creating widespread resentment among bank employees and officers. UFBU has already indicated that its constituent unions would meet and decide the further course of action, including strike action, if the issue continues to remain unresolved.

Prominent leaders who participated in and addressed the demonstration included Jagdish Rai, Iqbal Singh Malhi, Priyvrat, Sanjay Sinha, Gurbax Singh, Pankaj Sharma, Rishi Upadhyay, Kranti, Gaurav, Prem Pawar, Vinay, Vibhor, Yugesh, Raj kumar Arora, Harpreet Mann, Sachin Katiyar, Ajay Gaipuria, Mukesh Kumar, Rohan Tondon and Amandeep Singh, besides a large number of bank employees and officers from various banks in Chandigarh and the surrounding region. The gathering unanimously called upon the Government of India to accord immediate approval for declaring all Saturdays as holidays in the banking industry and implement the Five-Day Banking Week without any further delay.