Jammu, September 12: Banking operations were affected across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Friday as bank employees and officers joined the nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), pressing for implementation of the long-pending demand for a five-day work week in the banking sector.
Union representatives described the strike as a strong nationwide response, with employees and officers staying away from work in support of their demands.
In Jammu, employees from various banks and constituent unions participated in the local programme under the leadership of Rajesh Mehta, AIBOC Secretary, Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh.
Union leaders said employees were compelled to resort to the strike after their demands remained unresolved despite a formal agreement and repeated assurances.
The principal demand is the implementation of five-day banking, for which an agreement was reached between the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and bank unions in March 2024. According to the unions, the agreed arrangement has still not been implemented.
The unions pointed out that a five-day working system has been followed in Central Government offices since 1985 and is also prevalent in several State Government offices, district offices, courts, Income Tax offices, the stock market, the Reserve Bank of India and LIC.
They argued that banking customers already have access to services throughout the week through ATMs, internet banking, mobile banking, UPI and other digital and alternate channels.
As part of the March 2024 agreement, unions had reportedly agreed to extend working and banking business hours by 40 minutes on each working day, so that the remaining Saturdays could be declared holidays without reducing the total banking hours available to customers.
Union representatives also highlighted the financial cost borne by employees participating in the strike, stating that one day’s wages are deducted for a day of strike.
“The success of the strike shows that bank employees are united on these issues. Government must take note of our justified demands. We are not seeking any undue concession; we are asking for implementation of an agreement already reached and for a fair resolution of the pending issues,” UFBU leaders said during the local programme.
Apart from five-day banking, the UFBU has also raised objections to what it termed a unilateral and discriminatory Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) framework, seeking its review through bilateral discussions with unions and associations. The unions have also sought settlement of other residual issues pending in the banking industry.
Simultaneous demonstrations were held at various locations across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, from Kathua to Kargil.
The UFBU has already announced further strike action on September 28, 29 and 30, 2026, followed by an indefinite strike from October 26, 2026, if the issues remain unresolved.
Union representatives said the Government and IBA still have an opportunity to resolve the issues through meaningful dialogue and prevent further disruption to banking services.