Bank employees across India have continued their industrial action over the demand for implementation of a five-day working week.

UNI Global Union has extended its support to the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which represents several major bank employees’ and officers’ unions.

The UFBU had called an all-India strike on September 11, 2026, over the long-pending demand for a five-day working week. The unions have also announced a three-day strike from September 28 to 30 and an indefinite nationwide strike from October 26 if the issue remains unresolved.

Five-Day Banking Remains the Main Demand

The main demand of the banking unions is implementation of a five-day working week, which they say was agreed upon in the Settlement and Joint Note signed on March 8, 2024.

The unions are also opposing the government’s Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, describing it as unilateral and discriminatory. They have demanded that the issue be reviewed through bilateral discussions.

Talks End Without Agreement

Conciliation meetings involving the Department of Financial Services, Indian Banks’ Association and bank unions were held on September 8 and 9.

According to the unions, the talks ended without an agreement or a firm timeline for implementing five-day banking. Following the failure to reach an understanding, the unions decided to continue with their strike programme.

Unions Highlight Rising Workload

Bank union leaders have raised concerns over increasing workloads caused by staff shortages, growing business volumes, compliance requirements and performance targets.

They have argued that a five-day working week would help create a more sustainable working environment and improve work-life balance, particularly for women employees.

UNI Global Union Extends Support

UNI Asia & Pacific Regional Secretary Rajendra Acharya said UNI Global Union stands in solidarity with India’s banking unions and supports the implementation of five-day banking.

UNI Global Union said the demand is consistent with international labour standards and global banking practices, where regulated working hours and work-life balance are considered important for efficiency and institutional resilience.