New Delhi: Bank employees staged a strike demanding the introduction of a five-day banking week and changes to the government’s Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, citing staff shortages, increasing workloads and disparities in benefits.
Employees alleged that inadequate staffing has significantly increased their workload, with many being required to work beyond official office hours without receiving overtime compensation.
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The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) said the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) proposal for a five-day banking week has been pending with the Finance Ministry since 2024. Under the proposal, banks would remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays, while working hours from Monday to Friday would be extended by around 40 minutes a day.
Bank employees also raised concerns over the existing PLI structure, alleging that benefits are disproportionately higher for senior officers compared with the majority of bank staff.
The UFBU has warned that if its demands are not addressed, bank employees could launch an indefinite strike from October 26.
The unions have called for action on both the proposed five-day banking schedule and reforms to the PLI system, while highlighting the need to address staffing shortages and rising workloads across the banking sector.
