UFBU functionaries Raju Kalal and Iqbal Nadaf said the Union govt had agreed during the 12th Bipartite Settlement in 2024 to introduce a five-day banking week, in line with the Reserve Bank of India , insurance companies and other financial institutions. Organised by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), Dharwad unit, the rally began in front of the State Bank of India (SBI) main branch and passed through Jubilee Circle and HDMC Circle before culminating at Vivekananda Circle, with employees raising slogans in support of their demands. However, despite an understanding between the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and unions, the Centre is yet to issue the final notification. They alleged that the delay was unjustified and demanded banking operations from Monday to Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays declared weekly holidays. UFBU warned that the agitation would intensify if the pending issues were not resolved at the earliest.
Dharwad : Hundreds of employees from public and private sector banks staged a protest rally in Dharwad on Friday, demanding the immediate implementation of a five-day work week and opposing what they described as disparities in the payment of Performance Linked Incentive (PLI).