Bank Strike / Banking Services Hit Across Odisha as Employees Strike Over Five-Day Week, PLI Scheme

Kataka, Sep 11: Banking services across Odisha were affected on Thursday as employees staged a one-day strike over a four-point charter of demands, including implementation of a five-day working week and changes to the Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

The strike was called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), with bank employees participating in the nationwide agitation. Branch operations were disrupted at several locations as employees stayed away from work.

The unions have demanded that banking institutions adopt a five-day working week and that employees across all scales be brought under the PLI scheme. They have also warned of further industrial action if their demands are not addressed.

Following Thursday's one-day strike, banks are scheduled to remain closed for three days from September 28 to 30 as part of the agitation.

If the demands remain unresolved, the union has warned that employees may launch an indefinite strike from October 26.

‘Demands Are Not New,’ Says Union
Pradeep Sarangi, United Forum of Bank Unions, Kataka chapter, said the agitation centred on two key demands -- implementation of five-day banking and withdrawal of what the unions describe as a discriminatory PLI scheme.

“Our demands are not new. On March 8, 2024, the bank authorities signed an agreement with us to implement the demands. However, even after two-and-a-half years, the Union Government has not approved the agreement,” Sarangi said.

He said the unions had previously planned several strikes but held back to safeguard customers' interests.

“We are not asking for any favour. The regulating authority of all banks in India -- RBI -- has a 5-day work provision. NABARD and LIC have the same. But we are not allowed. This is unacceptable. As we are asking for two days off a week, we have also agreed to work 40 minutes more on each working day to compensate,” he added.

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Banks Make Arrangements For Customers
With the strike expected to affect banking operations, arrangements have reportedly been made to minimise inconvenience to customers.

Banks have ensured adequate cash availability at ATMs, while customers have been advised to use digital services such as UPI and net banking for routine transactions.

The unions said bank employees had resorted to the agitation over their long-pending demands and warned that the nature of the protest could escalate if a resolution is not reached.