Indian National Bank Officers Congress (INBOC) – a constituent of United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), has released its press release on the bank strike on 27 January 2026. Around 8 lakh bank employees and officers working in Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks, Foreign Banks, Regional Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks participated in the strike.
The strike was organised to demand 5-day banking. At present, 2nd and 4th Saturdays are holidays for banks. The demand is to declare all Saturdays as holidays, as recommended by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). Already, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between IBA and UFBU on 7 December 2023 anda Settlement / Joint Note dated 8 March 2024. In the settlement, it was agreed that 5-day banking would be implemented soon.
Also Read: Bank Strike 27 January 2026: Photos, Videos Latest News, Updates, Circulars
In the 2015 settlement, it was agreed that 2nd and 4th Saturdays would be holidays, with an assurance that full 5-day banking would be considered later. In 2022, the Government and IBA agreed to discuss increasing daily working hours so that remaining Saturdays could be declared holidays. In December 2023, it was agreed that working hours from Monday to Friday would be increased by 40 minutes and remaining Saturdays would be declared holidays. This recommendation has been pending Government approval for nearly two years.
Due to lack of response, UFBU had earlier given a call for a 2-day strike on 24 and 25 March 2025. At that time, the Government stated the issue was under active consideration, and the strike was deferred. Despite this assurance, approval was not granted. After several protest programmes, UFBU was compelled to call for the strike on 27 January 2026.
Also Read: Bank Strike 27 January 2026: Photos, Videos Latest News, Updates, Circulars
Bank Employees are feeling restless because RBI, LIC and GIC already follow a 5-day work week. Central and State Government offices work from Monday to Friday. Stock Exchanges, money market and forex markets remain closed on weekends. Bank employees are questioning – If all major offices work for only 5 days a week then why banks open for 6 days?
The Chief Labour Commissioner held conciliation meetings on 22 and 23 January 2026 in Delhi.
Officials from the Finance Ministry participated but did not give any positive assurance. As no resolution emerged, UFBU decided to proceed with the strike.
INBOC called the strike on 27 January 2026 a grand success across the country.
Also Read: Bank Strike 27 January 2026: Photos, Videos Latest News, Updates, Circulars
