JAMMU: Banking operations were affected across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Friday as bank employees and officers observed the nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), pressing for implementation of the long-pending five-day work week and resolution of other pending issues.
According to the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC), employees and officers from various banks and constituent unions participated in the strike across the region. In Jammu, the local programme was held under the leadership of Rajesh Mehta, AIBOC Secretary, Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh. Simultaneous demonstrations were also held from Kathua to Kargil.
Union representatives said employees were compelled to resort to the strike as the agreement on five-day banking, signed between the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and bank unions in March 2024, remained unimplemented despite repeated assurances. They said more than two and a half years had passed since the agreement was reached.
The unions argued that five-day working is already followed in Central and State Government offices, courts, the Reserve Bank of India, LIC, Income Tax offices and the stock market. They maintained that banking customers would continue to have access to services through ATMs, internet and mobile banking, UPI and other digital channels throughout the week.
As part of the March 2024 agreement, the unions had agreed to extend working and banking business hours by 40 minutes on each working day so that remaining Saturdays could be declared holidays without reducing the total banking hours available to customers.
Union leaders also highlighted the financial sacrifice made by employees participating in the strike, stating that a day’s wages would be deducted from those joining the industrial action. Apart from five-day banking, the UFBU has also raised objections to the existing PLI framework and sought its review through bilateral discussions, along with settlement of other residual issues.
“The success of the strike shows that bank employees are united on these issues. Government must take note of our justified demands. We are not seeking any undue concession; we are asking for implementation of an agreement already reached and for a fair resolution of the pending issues,” UFBU leaders said.
The UFBU has already announced further strike action on September 28, 29 and 30, followed by an indefinite strike from October 26, if the issues remain unresolved. Union representatives, however, said the government and IBA still have an opportunity to resolve the matter through meaningful dialogue and avert further disruption.
