Five-Day Banking: ‘How Long Can We Wait?’ – AIPNBOF on Strike

Krishna Kumar, General Secretary of the All India Punjab National Bank Officers’ Federation, (AIPNBOF) highlighted that the demand for Five-day banking has been pending since 2015, when two Saturdays were declared holidays. Despite a joint note signed on March 8, 2024, between the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), the recommendation for five-day banking remains unimplemented by the government for more than 18 months. The AIPNBOF decided to proceed with the October 9 strike to draw attention to this delay and to press the government to act on its commitments. The federation plans to hold demonstrations in front of controlling offices—central, zonal, and corporate offices, including Delhi—for about an hour on the day of the strike.

Read More on Strike: PNB Officers’ Federation to Go on Strike on 9th October Over Saturday Holiday Demand

‘How long can we wait?’ – On the reason behind Strike
Krishna Kumar said that “Despite multiple rounds of negotiations involving the CLC, IBA, UFBU, and government representatives, there has been no progress.”

He added, “Our members kept asking what steps we are taking to achieve this crucial demand for work-life balance, especially for female officers. That’s why we decided to strike—to remind the government to fulfill the commitment made through IBA.”

Bureaucratic and Business Lobby Blamed for Delay
When asked why the demand hasn’t been implemented, Krishna Kumar pointed to resistance from certain bureaucrats, politicians, and business officials. He said that initially, in 2023 and early 2024, the government seemed inclined to implement the demand, but “a lobby worked against it.”

According to him, bureaucrats argue that since they already have Saturdays off, banks should work on Saturdays, and business communities claim their work will be affected if banks close. He rejected these arguments, saying, “In today’s digital era, all transactions can be done online. There is no need to visit branches.”

Delay Despite Agreement Between UFBU and IBA
On being asked about the delay in honoring the 9th Joint Note signed on March 8, 2024, he said that all other points of the agreement have been implemented except this one. He believes that the IBA had already obtained approval from the finance ministry before recommending it.
“Somewhere in the last 18 months, a force has worked against this demand,” he said, urging the government to listen to the voice of 20 lakh bankers across public sector, private, cooperative, and regional rural banks who would benefit from five-day banking.

‘Saturday off is a lifeline for bankers’
Explaining how important the demand is for officers’ well-being, he said, “Every officer works about 10 hours a day even though the official duty is for 7 hours. Many work till 9–10 pm, and on September 30, officers were working till 11 pm.”

He added that this affects their personal lives and health. “Many young bankers are finding it hard to maintain families or even get married because of the stress. Cases of hypertension, diabetes, and other diseases are increasing among officers aged 30–35. The situation has become so stressful that several young bankers have even resorted to suicide.