Bank Strike: Operations to Halt in 8,100 Branches Across Bihar on 27 January; 50,000 Staff to Participate

Patna: Banking services in Bihar and across India are set to be severely disrupted on 27 January as the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) has called a nationwide strike. In Bihar alone, nearly 50,000 bank employees are expected to participate, affecting operations in approximately 8,100 branches, including public, private, foreign, and regional rural banks.

Key Demands: Implementation of Five-Day Work Week
The primary agenda of the strike is the implementation of a five-day work week in banks. Bank unions have emphasized that agreements reached on 7 December 2023 and 8 March 2024 recommended this change, but it has yet to be enforced. Employees have now expressed readiness for a decisive confrontation to ensure their demands are met.

Impact on Public and Businesses
The strike is expected to disrupt essential banking operations, including cheque clearance, cash withdrawals, and deposits, directly affecting the public and businesses across the state. Thousands of employees from rural to foreign banks will abstain from work, signaling a significant slowdown in financial services on the day.

Nine Major Unions Unite
To ensure the strike’s effectiveness, nine major banking unions have come together in solidarity. During a press conference on Thursday, union representatives stated that the movement would continue until the government and bank management honor the agreed-upon demands. Bank employees have appealed to the public for cooperation, reiterating the legitimacy of their demands.