5 Days Banking Dream

BLOG 7/2026 DATED 24TH JANUARY 2026

Indian Banking Industry has grown leaps and bounds with Banking Services available in most remote area of the country. On the one hand it displays connect with the people while on the other hand provides professional and modern banking products to the rich and tech savvy lot. If Indian banks handle low cost Govt sponsored schemes and Basic Savings Accounts, it also handles highly market sensitive derivative instruments. Indian Banks are seen catching up with the world’s financial web however still a long way to go to be called at par with the biggest and most modern banks in terms of services, speed and technology. Historically, the Banking Industry has seen sea change since independence through Nationalisation of banks, Narasimham Committee reforms, Digital progress, Public Private participation through sale of Govt stake to public and now Merger of banks in quest of efficiency and economies of scale.

All these have resulted in a remarkable change in the functioning of banks. With Private sector big banks like HDFC, ICICI and Axis in the field, the PSU Banks are also responding with efficiency and sharp competitive edge. With all these progresses and change in working style and conditions, the employees of banks have been asking for 2 days off in a weak and 5 days of work. This requirement was agreed upon by Indian Banking Association (Combined management of all banks) and the employees unions. The employees have also agreed to work extra hour to compensate the number of weekly hours. However, the Ministry of Finance has not given a go ahead on this proposal for more than a decade. With this the employee unions have decided to proceed on one day strike on 27^th January 2026.

Let us face the issue upfront and check the Strengths and Weaknesses of the 5 days banking proposal:

Strengths:

• Better work life balance for employees.
• Operational cost savings for the banks.
• Lower absenteeism.
• Boost local economy by giving more time for leisure & travel spendings.
• Helping in pollution control and traffic ease in metro cities.

Weakness:

• Non availability of banking services on Saturdays may deprive general non digital customers from some necessary banking service.

We do not foresee any other problem then the above as far as weakness of this proposal is concerned. As of now most of the banking transactions are digital and with this premise Banks have drastically reduced their staff strength. Banks are also having ATMs in each and every place where general public can withdraw cash if needed. Banks are already closed on 2^nd and 4^th Saturday and we have not observed any trouble in making financial transactions. In fact, the advanced economies are already working on 5 days working system only. On a search, we found a few countries still working on a 6 days schedule. Here is a table covering the names of countries in 5 days and 6 days banking.

6 days block	5 days block
India, Libya, Somalia, Nepal, Uganda, Philippines, Nigeria etc	US, UK, Canada, Australia, Most EU countries, China, Japan, South Korea, South Africa etc.

Why are our decision makers reluctant to move to 5 days block and continue to be identified with the countries much behind us in economic progress?

The strike call:

The Bank Unions have given call for one day strike. We have seen in past that the one-day strike does not force an unwilling decision maker to change the decision. Another problem with Bank strike is that unlike other departments, if bankers go on strike, there salary is deducted. No work no pay. This ensures that bankers cannot go for long strikes and one day strike will be notional only.

Government also understands that even if bankers go on a day or two on strike, digital services will allow the things to happen. It is because of this digital strength; the bankers must get a 5 days banking.

Conclusion:

There are certain things on which Management wastes the time and create conflicts without any gain. Not accepting 5 days’ work demand is one of such activity. I hope that the good sense will prevail and employees and employers will walk together in the same direction through a balanced give and take.

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