India’s banking sector is gearing up for one of its biggest agitation campaigns in recent years. After months of silence from the Government on the long-pending demand for 5-day banking, the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has launched a nationwide protest programme that will run from 1 December 2025 to mid-January 2026, ending with a likely All India Strike. The Government has not yet acted despite repeated assurances and even after the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) formally recommended 5-day banking nearly two years ago.
Bank unions say their demand for 5 working days per week is not new. Over the years: The 10th Bipartite Settlement (2015) granted holidays on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays. In the 11th and 12th Bipartite negotiations, unions again pushed for all Saturdays to be declared holidays. On 7 December 2023, IBA agreed in principle. On 8 March 2024, the final joint note confirmed that full 5-day banking would start once the Government approved the proposal.
But two years later, approval is still pending. Unions say that bank staff are dealing with long working hours, severe manpower shortages, heavy public dealing, and immense pressure—making this demand both “reasonable and justified.”
Government Assurances Not Turning Into Action
In March 2025, unions had announced a strike for the implementation of 5-Day Banking, but the strike was deferred after the Finance Ministry assuring that 5-day banking was under “active consideration.” But after six months of no progress, the unions have decided to escalate their protest.
AIBEA said:
“Our patience is being misunderstood. Our demand is being ignored. The agitation is now forced on us.”
UFBU Agitation Programme Schedule
UFBU has released following agitation programme:
| Date / Period | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1 Dec 2025 – 15 Jan 2026 | Campaign meetings, workshops, seminars at all levels; explain issues like merger, FDI, privatisation, etc. |
| 01-12-2025 | UFBU letter to IBA about the agitation |
| 03-12-2025 | UFBU letter to Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) |
| 05-12-2025 | UFBU letter to Department of Financial Services (DFS) |
| 08-12-2025 | UFBU letter to all Managing Directors of banks |
| 09-12-2025 | Mass memorandum from all branches to IBA |
| 12-12-2025 | Mass memorandum from all branches to Finance Minister |
| 16-12-2025 | Badge-wearing protest across branches |
| 23-12-2025 | Demonstrations in all State Capitals |
| 30-12-2025 | Demonstrations in all centres, towns, and districts |
| 04-01-2026 | Twitter campaign |
| 05-01-2026 | Dharna in all State Capitals; announcement of strike date |
| 13-01-2026 | Press meet / press release |
| 3rd Week of Jan 2026 | All India Bank Strike |
Growing Frustration Among Bank Employees
According to AIBEA, the demand for 5-day banking is completely justified because RBI, LIC, and GIC already work only five days a week. But bank employees still face long hours, heavy pressure, and a shortage of staff, which is making the situation even more stressful. The long delay in approving 5-day banking is causing frustration among employees in branches across the country. The union has asked all members to join the protest actively and stay united throughout the entire campaign.
-
-
-
-
-
-
