SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Jan 27: Bank employees of various public and private sector banks on Tuesday held a massive demonstration and day-long dharna at the State Bank of India (SBI) Zonal Office, Bank More, as part of a nationwide strike demanding the implementation of a five-day workweek.
The protest was organised under the banner of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).
Following the strike, banking operations were completely paralysed in Dhanbad, causing inconvenience to customers. This marked the fourth consecutive day of disruption, leaving people unable to carry out routine banking transactions.
Employees and officers from SBI, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara Bank, Indian Bank, and other government and private sector banks participated in the strike.
Dharna at SBI Zonal Office
As per the pre-announced programme, agitating employees assembled at the SBI Zonal Office and staged a peaceful dharna throughout working hours, raising slogans in support of their single-point demand for a five-day working week.
Bank union leaders said that in 2024, the government had signed an agreement with bank unions for implementing a five-day workweek. However, the agreement has not been implemented so far, forcing employees to resort to agitation.
Union Leaders Lead Protest
The protest in Dhanbad was led by union president Amit Kumar, zonal secretary Ranjeet Kumar Jaiswal, along with leaders Sandeep, Wasim, S.K. Singh, Subhash Balmiki, N.K. Mahajan, and others.
Union leaders warned that if the demand is not met, the agitation may be intensified in the coming days.
