Nationwide Bank Strike: Employees Demand Implementation of Five-Day Work Week
Pune, 27th January 2026: Bank employees across India participated in a full-day nationwide strike on January 27, pressing for the long-awaited implementation of a five-day work week—a demand that has remained unresolved for several years. The strike, organized by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), reportedly saw 100% participation across all nationalized banks, underscoring growing frustration among staff.
In Pune, bank employees gathered outside the State Bank treasury branch, staging protests and highlighting their grievances. The push for a five-day week stems from a bipartite settlement reached in March 2024, which had promised its implementation. Nearly two years later, employees say no concrete action has been taken, leaving them with little choice but to strike, according to Rajesh Mule, General Secretary of the State Bank Workers’ Organization.
Employees cited heavy workloads and stress, emphasizing that a five-day week would provide much-needed time for personal and family commitments. While other financial sectors—including insurance companies, the Reserve Bank of India, and stock market-related institutions—have already adopted a five-day schedule, the banking sector’s delay has fueled dissatisfaction.
Rajesh Mule also warned that if the central government fails to enforce a five-day banking week promptly, employees may escalate their protests and strikes in the future.
