Guwahati/Silchar/Dibrugarh: Banking services were affected across Assam on Friday as employees and officers joined a nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) to press for the implementation of a five-day work week and the resolution of other long-pending service-related issues.Protests and demonstrations were held in Guwahati, Silchar, Dibrugarh, Kokrajhar, Jorhat and other parts of the state. Employees of several public-sector banks, including SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda, UBI, Canara Bank and Bank of India, participated in the one-day strike.The unions’ principal demand is that all Saturdays be declared bank holidays, paving the way for a five-day banking week.The proposal was agreed upon by bank unions and the Indian Banks’ Association as part of the 12th Bipartite Settlement and the 9th Joint Note in March 2024. However, it is yet to receive approval from the Centre. At present, banks remain open on the first, third and fifth Saturdays of the month.The proposed arrangement envisages extending working hours from Monday to Friday by 40 minutes to compensate for the additional weekly holiday.In Silchar, the strike was observed across Cachar, Sribhumi and Hailakandi districts. In Dibrugarh, demonstrations were held outside SBI’s main branch at Thana Chariali and PNB’s main branch on RKB Road.The unions also opposed the revised performance-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, alleging that its implementation was discriminatory and had not been adequately discussed with employees. They demanded that the scheme be kept in abeyance until changes were worked out through bilateral negotiations. Wage- and pension-related issues and fair service policies also figured in the charter of demands.Branch-level services, including cash deposits and withdrawals, cheque processing, clearing, passbook updates and other counter transactions, were disrupted. Digital services such as UPI, internet and mobile banking and ATMs remained largely operational, although customers were advised to expect delays in services requiring branch intervention.UFBU representatives accused the Centre of pursuing policies aimed at privatising banks and alleged that the govt had shown little urgency in addressing employees’ concerns. They urged the authorities to resume talks and resolve the issues.The unions have warned of further action, including a three-day nationwide strike from Sept 28 to 30 and an indefinite strike from Oct 26 if their demands remain unresolved.
