Bank Employees Call Nationwide Strike on January 27, Services Likely to Be Hit – Read

Banking services across the country are likely to be disrupted on January 27 as bank employees’ unions have called for a nationwide strike, pressing the Centre to approve long-pending demands, including the implementation of a five-day work week for banks.

The strike call has been given by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella body representing major bank employees’ associations. Union leaders said the decision was taken after repeated assurances by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) failed to translate into concrete action from the government.

The strike comes at a sensitive time, coinciding with a series of holidays. Banks are already scheduled to remain closed on January 24 (Saturday) and January 25 (Sunday), followed by Republic Day on January 26. With the strike planned for January 27, customers could face a four-day stretch of limited or no in-branch banking services.

According to union representatives, the primary demand is the formal approval of a five-day banking system, making Saturdays holidays. They point out that the proposal was agreed upon in principle during wage revision talks but has remained stalled due to the absence of government clearance.

Unions argue that the change is essential to reduce work pressure, improve efficiency, and bring banking operations on par with other financial and government sectors.

If the strike goes ahead as planned, branch-based services such as cash deposits and withdrawals, cheque clearing, demand drafts, and passbook updates are expected to be affected. However, digital banking services, including internet banking, mobile apps, and ATMs, are expected to function normally, subject to availability of cash.

Customers have been advised to plan essential banking transactions in advance to avoid inconvenience.

So far, there has been no official response from the Centre on the latest strike announcement.

Union leaders have indicated that further agitation cannot be ruled out if their demands continue to be ignored.

With the strike date approaching, all eyes are on whether last-minute talks between the unions, the IBA, and the government can avert disruption to banking services nationwide.