Banking services across India are expected to be affected as bank employee unions have announced a nationwide strike over their demand for a five-day work week.
The unions have been pressing for a reduction in the working week, seeking a system under which banks remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays. The demand has been a long-standing issue in the banking sector, with employee organisations arguing that a five-day schedule would improve work-life balance and bring banking employees in line with working patterns followed in several other sectors.
The proposed strike could affect operations at bank branches and offices, potentially impacting services such as cash transactions, cheque processing and other routine banking activities. However, digital banking, ATMs and online payment services are expected to remain available, subject to individual bank operations.
The strike call comes amid continued negotiations and discussions between bank unions and the authorities over working conditions and other employee demands.
Customers are likely to face delays if the strike results in the closure or limited functioning of branches. Banks are expected to advise customers to use digital channels for essential transactions during the disruption.
The demand for a five-day banking week has gained momentum in recent years, with unions maintaining that it would modernise working arrangements without significantly affecting customer access, given the growing adoption of digital banking services.
