Bank employees and officers across several parts of India have intensified their demand for the implementation of a five-day work week, with demonstrations being held in cities including Shivamogga, Nizamabad and Jammu.
The protests were organised under the banner of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which has been pressing the government to approve a five-day banking week. The latest demonstrations follow a nationwide bank strike observed on 27 January, 2026, over the same demand.
In Nizamabad, employees and officers from public and private-sector banks gathered at Dharna Chowk, urging the government to act on what they described as a long-pending demand. Protesters warned that they could consider an indefinite strike if the issue continues to remain unresolved.
Similar demonstrations were held at Bahu Plaza, with employees calling for all Saturdays to be declared holidays for the banking industry.
UFBU representatives have argued that the five-day work week is no longer incompatible with customer service, given the growth of digital banking. ATMs, mobile banking, internet banking and electronic payment systems allow customers to access banking services beyond traditional branch operating hours.
The unions have also pointed to the Indian Banks’ Association’s agreement to introduce five-day banking in the Memorandum of Understanding, Settlement and Joint Note, following which the matter was recommended to the government for approval.
The unions have cautioned that continued delay is creating growing resentment among employees and officers. UFBU has indicated that its constituent unions will discuss the next course of action, including further strike action, if the demand remains unresolved.
The demonstrations concluded with a call for the government to approve five-day banking and declare all Saturdays as holidays for bank employees.
