Employees' protest disrupts bank works
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 11 2026: Demanding immediate implementation of a 5-day work-week making all Saturdays holidays, employees of different banks staged a sit-in protest in front of the SBI branch at MG Avenue, Imphal today.

The sit-in was part of a Nationwide protest called by the United Forum of Bank Unions, which represents more than 90 percent of the workforce in the banking industry.

The protest by the employees disrupted bank operations.

At the demonstration at MG Avenue, United Forum of Bank Unions, Manipur Unit convenor S Sanahal Sharma said that bank employees are demanding the immediate implementation of an agreement which was signed with the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) in March 2024 .

By signing the agreement, the IBA had agreed to declare Saturdays as holidays, he said.

While the agreement was recommended to the Finance Ministry, Government of India, it has not been notified and implemented even after more than 2 years, Sanahal said.

While the core demand is notification of Saturdays as holidays, the union is also demanding adequate recruitment of clerical and substaff in banks, restoration of Old Pension Scheme, increase in ceiling on gratuity, uniform Dearness Allowances among other issues, he added.

Until the demands are met, bank employees in Manipur will join further Nationwide stir on September 28 and 30 .

In case the demands remain unaddressed, there will be continuous indefinite strike from October 26, Sanahal said.

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