Employees of public sector banks under the banner of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) staged protests in multiple locations on Wednesday, renewing their demand for the immediate implementation of a five-day workweek with all Saturdays and Sundays declared holidays.
The demonstrations formed part of a broader nationwide campaign by bank unions, which have maintained for years that a five-day banking schedule can be introduced without disrupting customer service by adjusting working hours during the week.
Protests were reported in Shivamogga and Davangere in Karnataka, where employees and officers from several public sector banks gathered outside Canara Bank offices to press for the change.
Unions say demand is long overdue
Addressing protesters in Shivamogga, UFBU Shivamogga Convener Nelson described the five-day banking week as a long-standing and legitimate demand of bank employees and officers.
According to Nelson, modern banking operations can accommodate a five-day schedule without causing inconvenience to customers if working hours are suitably adjusted across the week.
He pointed to the adoption of five-day work systems across several major financial and government institutions, including the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) and central government offices.
Nelson also noted that several key segments of the financial ecosystem do not operate on Saturdays, making the continued delay in implementing a similar arrangement for banks difficult to justify.
Demonstrations draw participation from multiple banks
The protest in Shivamogga saw participation from employees and representatives of multiple banking institutions.
Among those present were representatives from:
- State Bank of India (SBI)
- Canara Bank
- Karnataka Bank
- Union Bank of India
- Punjab National Bank (PNB)
- Karnataka Gramin Bank (KGB)
Union leaders and employees gathered outside Canara Bank on Balraj Urs Road to voice support for the demand.
Nelson said the union would continue its agitation until the five-day workweek is implemented.
"We are confident that the legitimate demand can be achieved through the unity and organised struggle of bank employees and officers," he said.
Similar protests held in Davangere
The campaign extended beyond Shivamogga.
Employees from various banks also organised a protest outside the regional office of Canara Bank in Davangere, reiterating the demand for a five-day working system.
The demonstration was attended by United Forum of Bank Unions Convener Raghavendra Nairy along with office-bearers including Pradeep Patil, Kiran Kumar M P, Sunil Myageri and Sagar Joshi.
The participation of union representatives from multiple banking institutions reflected the coordinated nature of the campaign.
Work-life balance and sector parity at the centre of debate
The demand for a five-day workweek has become one of the most prominent workplace issues in the banking sector in recent years.
Bank unions have consistently maintained that employees should receive working conditions comparable to those available in other financial institutions and government offices that already operate on a five-day schedule.
Supporters of the move believe a revised work structure could improve employee well-being and work-life balance while maintaining operational efficiency through adjusted weekday working hours.
The issue also highlights changing workforce expectations across the financial services industry, where employee experience and workplace flexibility are increasingly becoming part of broader discussions around talent retention and productivity.
Pressure likely to continue
With the UFBU signalling its intention to continue the agitation, the demand for a five-day banking week is likely to remain a key labour and workplace issue for the sector.
For now, bank unions are seeking faster action on a proposal they say has been under discussion for years. Whether policymakers and banking authorities move forward on the demand could shape the next phase of workforce reforms across India's banking industry.