Agartala, September 11: Bank employees and officers across Tripura joined the nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) on Friday, affecting normal banking operations in several parts of the state.
The strike was observed by bank employees as part of the nationwide agitation over a number of long-pending demands, with the implementation of a five-day banking week remaining one of the major issues raised by the unions.
In Tripura, customers visiting bank branches faced disruption in routine banking services as employees participated in the strike. Branch-based services, including cash transactions, cheque-related work, passbook updates and other counter services, were affected in several areas.
The UFBU, which represents various bank employees’ and officers’ unions, has been demanding the immediate implementation of a five-day work week in the banking sector. The unions have also raised several other issues concerning employees, including pending service-related demands and concerns over performance-linked incentive schemes.
While physical banking operations were affected due to the strike, customers were largely able to depend on digital banking facilities such as UPI, mobile banking and internet banking for essential transactions.
The participation of bank employees in Tripura in Friday’s nationwide strike reflects the growing pressure being mounted by unions for an early resolution of their long-pending demands.
The five-day banking week has remained a major demand of bank unions for several years. Employees have argued that reducing the working week to five days would bring the banking sector in line with several other industries while maintaining customer services through appropriate adjustments.
With the UFBU warning of further industrial action if its demands are not addressed, the issue could lead to additional disruption in banking services in the coming days.
Today’s strike in Tripura has once again highlighted the demand of bank employees for a five-day work week and an early resolution of other pending issues.
