Banking services disrupted as employees join nationwide strike
Sep 11, 2026
Banking services were disrupted in several parts of the country on Friday as employees of various banks joined a nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions, demanding a five day working week and other benefits.
The strike, called by the United Forum of Bank Unions, was aimed at pressing the long pending demand for a five day banking week, under which banks would remain shut on Saturdays and Sundays. This has been a persistent demand of bank employee organisations for a long time.
The organisations said the move was necessary to reduce the workload on staff and to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life. "The demand has been under discussion with the authorities for a long time, but it remains unresolved," the unions said, adding that this had forced them to strike again.
As a result of the stir, customers reportedly faced difficulties in availing banking services. However, online banking, ATMs and other digital services remained operational, which allowed some services to continue uninterrupted. Branch banking was the most affected, raising concerns of inconvenience for ordinary customers.
Bank employees argued that the introduction of a five day banking week would benefit not just the workforce but also improve the standard of banking services over time. The unions further indicated that the agitation would continue until their demands were fully addressed by the authorities concerned.
