Jammu, 22 February (H.S.): Reiterating their demand for introduction of a 5-day work week in the banking industry, thousands of bank employees staged protest demonstrations in various banks, here today.

Vishal Verma, president AIBOC and Rajesh Mehta, Secretary AIBOC led the protest in Jammu.

The protest was organized under the banner of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), which comprises AIBOC, AIBEA, NCBE, BEFI, INBEC, INBOC, NOBW and NOBO.

The protestors highlighted key demands aimed at improving both customer service and employee welfare.

Addressing to the protestors, union leaders pointed out that during the March 2024 Bipartite Settlement and Joint Note, the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the unions reached an agreement to implement a 5-day week and a formal recommendation was forwarded to the Government for approval. However, nearly a year has passed and the Government is yet to notify this change.

“With 24×7 digital banking services already available and most government and corporate offices working five days a week, it’s high time the banking sector aligns with this practice,” said a UFBU spokesperson.

They also raised the issue of the need for permanent recruitment across all cadres and underscored that a robust workforce not only ensures better customer service, but also reduces work pressure on existing staff, ultimately improving the quality of banking operations.

They also highlighted various other concerns, including the urgent need to address the rising workload in branches due to staff shortages, ensuring fair and transparent policies regarding promotions, transfers and employee welfare and opposing any attempts at unfair labour practices and further privatization within the banking sector.

The union leaders stated that if their demands remain unaddressed, they will intensify their protests in the coming weeks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar