Ludhiana: Banking operations across the district came to a near-total standstill on Tuesday, as thousands of employees joined a nationwide strike to demand the immediate implementation of a five-day work week. The strike, called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), has exacerbated a significant backlog of financial services. With the city already observing holidays for Basant Panchami, the fourth Saturday, Sunday, and Republic Day, many residents have been without in-person banking access for five consecutive days.
At the heart of the protest is a long-standing demand for a Monday-to-Friday schedule, aligning bank hours with other govt departments and financial institutions. “We have been agitating for our right to a five-day week just like the district administrative offices and municipal corporations,” said Naresh Gaur, convener of the UFBUs’s Ludhiana unit. “The central govt committed to this reform in 2024, yet there has been zero progress. We were left with no choice but to strike.”Unions claim that while the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) recommended the five-day week in March 2024, govt notification is still pending. To compensate for Saturday closures, employees have agreed to extend daily working hours by 40 minutes from Monday to Friday. Protesters noted that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), stock exchanges, and most state and central govt offices already followed a five-day schedule.In Ludhiana, the protest reached its peak with a massive rally in front of the Canara Bank branch at Bharat Nagar Chowk. Union leaders from across the banking spectrum addressed the crowd, emphasizing that “a rested banker serves the nation better”. The disruption has caused significant frustration for local residents and business owners. “I’ve been waiting since Friday to open an urgent business account,” said Harpreet, a local resident. “To find the gates still locked on Tuesday is shocking.”While branch-level services like cash deposits and cheque clearances were halted, digital platforms — including UPI and mobile banking — remained operational. However, some residents reported localised cash shortages at ATMs due to the extended period of bank closures.
