UFBU Asks Banks Not to Force Bank Officers to Attend National Lok Adalat on September 12
The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has asked the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) to direct Banks not to compel or depute bank officers to attend the National Lok Adalat scheduled to be held on September 12, 2026. The union has pointed out that September 12 is the second Saturday and is a declared bank holiday.
In a letter dated September 4, 2026, addressed to the Chief Executive of the Indian Banks’ Association, UFBU said that bank officers and employees are currently involved in a nationwide agitation over several long-pending issues.
UFBU has announced All India Strike on 11 September 2026.
The major issues include the demand for five-day banking, discriminatory Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) mechanisms, and the increasing practice of requiring officers to work beyond prescribed working hours and on declared holidays.
UFBU said that, as part of the ongoing agitation, its members have been advised to strictly follow prescribed rules and working hours and withdraw all extra and voluntary cooperation.
According to the union, asking bank officers to attend the National Lok Adalat on September 12 would mean requiring them to perform official duties on a declared holiday. UFBU said this comes at a time when bank employees are specifically raising concerns over the practice of working beyond prescribed hours and on holidays.
The union clarified that its position is not against the judiciary, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), or the institution of Lok Adalat.
UFBU said it has raised the issue with IBA well in advance to avoid any inconvenience or complications for the Legal Services Authorities, litigants and individual bank officers.
UFBU has called upon IBA to advise all member banks not to compel or depute officers for the National Lok Adalat on September 12, 2026.
It has also asked IBA to coordinate with the concerned Legal Services Authorities for rescheduling the bank-related matters or making alternative arrangements wherever the presence of bank officials is required.
