Agartala, September 11: Banking operations at several branches across Tripura were disrupted on Friday as employees joined a nationwide strike demanding the introduction of a five-day working week, leaving customers dependent on digital platforms for routine transactions.
The agitation, organised under the banner of the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), affected counter-based services in Agartala and other parts of the state. With employees staying away from duty, customers visiting branches for cash transactions, documentation, loan-related work and other banking services faced delays and inconvenience.
Services requiring direct interaction with bank officials were among the most affected, with some customers having to postpone their work until normal branch operations resume.
The central demand of the striking employees is that Saturdays, along with Sundays, should be declared weekly holidays for banks. Employee organisations have maintained that a five-day schedule would provide greater weekly rest, help address workload-related pressure and improve overall efficiency.
Despite the disruption at physical branches, several banking facilities remained available through electronic channels. ATMs, mobile banking applications and internet banking continued to provide customers with access to routine services, particularly for those who did not require assistance from branch staff.
UFBU representatives said the five-day working week has remained a long-pending issue despite repeated discussions with the authorities. They maintained that employees have been seeking a formal resolution and that the nationwide strike was part of efforts to press for movement on the demand.
The unions have also linked the issue to the changing nature of banking operations. With digital technology increasingly handling routine transactions, they argued that the sector should simultaneously reassess employee workloads, staffing requirements and working conditions.
According to the employee organisations, additional weekly rest could help staff manage increasing responsibilities more effectively and return to work with improved efficiency. They also argued that better working conditions would ultimately contribute to improved customer service.
The strike has once again highlighted the contrast between the growing dependence on digital banking and the continuing importance of physical branches. While many routine transactions can now be completed electronically, customers requiring cash services, documentation, loan assistance and other specialised support still depend heavily on branch-level operations.
Union leaders have indicated that further agitation could be considered if negotiations fail to yield progress. They have called for renewed discussions with the authorities to resolve the issue.
For customers in Tripura, the immediate disruption was largely concentrated on branch-based services, while digital banking channels continued to provide alternatives for several routine transactions.
Regular branch operations are expected to resume after the strike, but the unions have made it clear that the campaign for a five-day banking we
