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Bank customers across India could face significant inconvenience during the last week of January, as bank employee unions have announced a nationwide strike on January 27. If the strike goes ahead as planned, bank branches may remain closed for four consecutive days, disrupting several in-branch banking services.

According to reports by Moneycontrol, the disruption is likely due to the alignment of multiple holidays with the proposed strike date.

Why Banks Could Be Shut for Four Days

The possible four-day closure is the result of a combination of scheduled holidays and the strike call. January 24 falls on the fourth Saturday, a day when banks are routinely closed. January 25 is a Sunday, followed by Republic Day on January 26, which is a national holiday. If bank employees proceed with their strike on January 27, customers will not be able to access bank branches from January 24 to January 27.

During this period, customers may find it difficult to complete branch-dependent tasks such as cash deposits or withdrawals, cheque clearance, document verification, and other counter services.

What Is the Reason Behind the Bank Strike?

The strike call has been issued by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), an umbrella organization representing nine major bank unions in the country. The unions have been demanding the implementation of a five-day work week for banks, similar to several other financial institutions.

Bank employee unions argue that the workload in banks has increased significantly over the years due to expanded financial inclusion, digital banking responsibilities, and staff shortages. They believe a five-day work week would help improve efficiency, employee well-being, and overall service quality.

Comparison with Other Financial Institutions

Union representatives point out that several key financial bodies already operate on a five-day schedule. Institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), insurance companies, and stock markets follow a Monday-to-Friday work model. Bank unions believe that extending the same structure to banks would bring uniformity across the financial sector.

To address concerns about reduced customer access, unions have proposed a compromise. They suggest that if Saturdays are declared holidays, banks could extend working hours from Monday to Friday by approximately 40 minutes each day. According to the unions, this would ensure that overall service delivery remains largely unaffected.

Is RBI Approval Required?

While the demand has been raised repeatedly, implementing a five-day banking system nationwide is not straightforward. Experts note that such a move would require approval from regulatory authorities, including the Reserve Bank of India, and coordination with the government. As of now, no final decision has been taken, making the January 27 strike a key point of pressure in ongoing negotiations.

How Will Customers Be Affected?

If the strike proceeds, customers should be prepared for delays in services that require physical branch visits. These include:

• Cash-related transactions

• Cheque deposits and clearance

• Account-related documentation

• Loan processing and approvals

However, there is some relief for customers who rely on digital banking. Services such as UPI, mobile banking, net banking, and ATM withdrawals are expected to remain operational, as they are managed through automated and digital systems.

What Should Customers Do Now?

Bank customers are advised to plan ahead and complete any urgent branch-related work before January 24. Keeping sufficient cash on hand and relying on digital payment options can help avoid last-minute stress during the potential shutdown.

As talks between bank unions, regulators, and authorities continue, customers should stay alert for official updates. Until then, caution and advance planning remain the best way to manage banking needs amid the strike uncertainty.