The services of PSU banks were affected due to bank strike across the country. Employees intensified their demands for five-day work week, wage and pension reforms.
A large number of bank officers and employees participate in the nationwide strike of UFBU; Private banks mostly remained open normally.
New Delhi. Services of public sector banks were affected across the country on Friday due to the nationwide strike. The strike was led by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an organization of seven major bank unions and representing a large number of bank officers and employees.
Among the main demands of bank employees five-day banking weekwage-related issues and pension reforms. Employees held demonstrations and marches in many cities. Union members protested in support of their demands at many places including Bhopal and Chennai.
The strike particularly affected branch operations, check clearing and some customer-facing services of state-run banks. However, most private sector banks continued to function normally and digital banking, UPI and ATM services remained operational on a large scale.
This strike has taken place at a time when India is hosting the BRICS Summit on 12–13 September. Banking unions have indicated that if concrete progress is not made on their demands then the agitation may be intensified further.
The demand for five-day work week in the banking sector has been going on for a long time. Employees argue that in the era of digital banking and extended working systems, there is a need for policy-level changes regarding work-life balance.