All India Bank Strike Likely on January 27 as Bank Unions Push for 5-Day Workweek: All You Need To Know

The demand for a 5-day workweek for banks has intensified, with bank employees' unions threatening a nationwide bank strike on January 27, 2026. The strike has been called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an organisation which represents bank employees and officers across public sector banks and some old-generation private banks.

If the bank strike goes ahead, banking operations, especially at public sector banks, are likely to be severely disrupted for three consecutive days, as January 25 and 26 are holidays, and customers will have to face service disruptions for branch-based banking activities.

How the bank strike could impact customers

Currently, bank employees get weekly days off on Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. The remaining two Saturdays were agreed to be declared holidays as part of the wage revision settlement signed in March 2024 between the unions and the Indian Banks' Association (IBA). However, unions allege that despite the agreement, the government has not implemented the 5-day banking system.

Why bank unions are pushing for a 5-day week

Bank unions argue that a 5-day workweek is long overdue, especially when several major financial institutions already follow it. Bodies such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), LIC, GIC, stock exchanges, money markets, and foreign exchange markets do not operate on Saturdays. In addition, both central and state government offices function only from Monday to Friday.

"With banking increasingly becoming digital and available 24x7, there is no justification for forcing employees to work six days a week," UFBU said, adding that the banking sector must align with broader institutional practices.
Similarly, the All India Bank Officers' Confederation said the demand for a 5-day week is not excessive. "When the world is moving towards a four-day workweek and banking services are already available round the clock in the digital era, bankers asking for a five-day week isn't a luxury. It's justice," the officers' body said.

The organisation also pointed out that IBA has already agreed to the arrangement and the understanding has been formally signed. "Now the government must honour its commitment with no more excuses, no more delays," it said.
Nationwide strike confirmed for January 27

UFBU has confirmed that an all-India bank strike will be observed on January 27, 2026, if the demand is not addressed. UFBU represents nine major bank unions. Meanwhile, the unions have intensified pressure through social media, with the hashtag #5DayBankingNow trending on X, with growing support among bank employees nationwide.