If the strike takes place, public sector bank operations will be affected for three consecutive days. This is because January 25 and 26 are already holidays.
At present, bank employees get holidays on Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays of every month.
During the wage revision agreement in March 2024, the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) had agreed to declare the remaining two Saturdays as holidays.
Government Ignoring Our Demands: UFBU
The UFBU said in a statement that it is unfortunate the government is not responding to their genuine demands.
The union clarified that there would be no loss of working hours, as bank employees have agreed to work 40 extra minutes every day from Monday to Friday.
Why UFBU Is Demanding a Five-Day Work Week
The organization pointed out that institutions like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), and General Insurance Corporation (GIC) already follow a five-day work week.
In addition, the foreign exchange market, money market, and stock exchanges remain closed on Saturdays.
It also highlighted that central and state government offices are closed on Saturdays, stating that there is no valid reason for banks not to adopt a five-day work system.
All-India Bank Strike on January 27, 2026
UFBU announced that an all-India strike will be held in all banks on January 27, 2026.
UFBU is an umbrella body of nine major bank unions in India, representing employees and officers of public sector banks and some old private sector banks.
