Muzaffarpur: Banking services have been affected in Muzaffarpur as bank employees and officers across the country observe a one-day strike on September 11 following a call by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).
The strike has been called primarily over the demand to introduce a five-day banking system, with Saturdays and Sundays declared weekly holidays.
Five-Day Banking Demand Takes Centre Stage
Bank employees have been seeking the implementation of a five-day working week for a long time. The unions have argued that assurances have been given repeatedly, but no definite date or timeline has been announced for implementation.
Under the proposed system, banks would remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays, while banking operations would continue on the remaining five working days of the week.
Talks Fail to Produce Concrete Solution
Several rounds of discussions have reportedly taken place between the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance, the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), bank managements and UFBU representatives.
According to the union forum, the discussions failed to produce a concrete solution, particularly on the issue of announcing a definite date or timeline for introducing five-day banking.
Following the failure of the talks, the UFBU called for the nationwide one-day strike.
Banking Services Likely to Be Affected
As employees and officers participate in the strike, customers may face disruptions in several banking-related services.
Branch-level services such as cash deposits and withdrawals, cheque-related work, account services and other counter operations may be affected at participating banks.
Digital banking services such as internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs and UPI may continue to operate, although customers could experience delays in services linked to branch operations.
Unions Oppose PLI Scheme
The banking unions have also demanded the withdrawal of the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which they have described as unilateral and discriminatory.
The unions have called for necessary changes to the scheme through bilateral negotiations and have sought early resolution of pending issues concerning bank employees.
They have also stressed the importance of maintaining the tradition of bilateral settlements between bank managements and employees’ organisations.
UFBU Calls Strike a Major Stage in Its Campaign
The UFBU has appealed to bank employees and officers to make the September 11 strike successful.
The organisation has said the protest is part of its broader campaign for employee rights and dignity, with the implementation of five-day banking remaining one of its key demands.
For customers, the strike could mean inconvenience at physical bank branches, particularly for transactions and services that require staff assistance.
