Jaipur, January 27, 2026: Public sector banking services in Rajasthan have been widely disrupted today as bank employees joined a nationwide strike called to press for implementation of a five-day work week and improved service conditions. The action, involving employees and officers from major bank unions, comes after stalled negotiations with banking authorities and government representatives.
The strike – called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) and other employee associations including the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation and All India Bank Employees’ Association – has seen significant participation from staff in public sector banks across the state. Their core demand is that Saturday be declared a non-working day for all banks, effectively transitioning to a five-day working week, a proposal that has so far not been formally approved despite earlier discussions with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
As a result of the strike, many public sector bank branches remain closed or are offering limited services, with customers facing difficulties in conducting in-branch transactions such as cash withdrawals, deposits, cheque clearances and other over-the-counter operations. Digital banking channels and ATMs are expected to continue functioning, but the full scope of customer impact is still unfolding.
Bank employees have expressed frustration that longstanding demands for a reduced work week and better work-life balance have not been adequately addressed, despite assurances and negotiated agreements dating back over two years. The absence of concrete government action on these proposals has been cited as a key reason for escalating to industrial action.
Representatives of union groups in Rajasthan stated the strike is a culmination of months of advocacy and discussions with authorities. “We have sought recognition of a standard five-day working week to align with practices in other sectors and improve quality of life for banking staff,” said one union leader. Negotiations are expected to continue in the coming days, but no breakthrough has yet been reported.
Customers are being advised to plan their essential banking transactions around the disruption, and to use digital or alternate channels where possible.