Jammu, Dec 30:
The banking sector in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh witnessed a wave of protests today as employees and officers, under the banner of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), held large-scale demonstrations. The central demand: the immediate implementation of a 5-day work week for all banks.
From the administrative hubs of Jammu to the freezing terrains of Leh and Srinagar, bank staff gathered in front of bank offices to voice their frustration over the two-year delay in government approval for the new working schedule.
Rajesh Mehta, UT Secretary of AIBOC (Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh), stated that while the demand is long-standing, the “undue physical and mental stress” on staff has reached a breaking point.
The shift to a 5-day week has been a decade-long struggle for bank unions. Key milestones include: (2015) The 10th Bipartite Settlement introduced holidays on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays. (Dec 2023) A landmark understanding was reached between the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and unions to declare all Saturdays as holidays. (March 2024) IBA officially recommended the change to the Government of India. (Dec 2025) Two years later, the file remains pending with the Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Union leaders have highlighted that the banking industry has changed significantly since the 2015 settlement.
Increased Workload: “Due to inadequate staff, managers and officers are working under extreme pressure,” union leaders noted.
Digital Transformation: Unions argue that with 24/7 digital banking and UPI services, a physical 5-day week will not disrupt customer access.
Work-Life Balance: The protest emphasized that the current 6-day cycle (on 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays) is leading to severe burnout across all cadre.
The demonstrations held today are part of a larger nationwide agitation. If the government fails to issue the necessary notification under the Negotiable Instruments Act, the UFBU has warned of a potential nationwide bank strike in the third week of January 2026.
“Our demand is most reasonable and justified,” said Rajesh Mehta. “The Central Government is fully aware of the challenges we face. It is time they fulfill the promise made in the joint notes.”
