Bank employees strike across Pratapgarh demanding five-day banking week

Bank employees across Pratapgarh district went on a one-day strike over their demand for the implementation of a five-day banking system along with several other demands. The strike, called by all bank employee unions, was part of a nationwide protest that made its impact felt in Pratapgarh as well.

Work in most bank branches came to a complete standstill, from urban areas to rural pockets of the district. Boards related to the strike were put up at the gates of bank branches. Customers who had arrived at banks for transactions and other banking services faced considerable difficulties. Many customers came to know about the bank closure only after reaching the spot.

According to bank employees, the one-day strike led to banking transactions worth crores of rupees being affected across the district. The employees said that the government should seriously consider their demands, including the five-day banking system.

The employees issued a warning that if the government does not take a positive decision on their demands, strikes could be held in the future as well under the next phase of the agitation.

Speaking about the matter, Kamlesh Pandey, Zonal Secretary, Prayagraj, said that all bank employee unions are conducting a one-day strike across the country. After the Saturday and Sunday holidays, normal work in bank branches is expected to resume on Monday.

The nationwide call for strike by all bank employee organizations disrupted banking operations and hit routine financial activities. The absence of prior information for many customers added to the inconvenience, as they discovered the closure only upon arrival at their respective branches.