Sucheta Ma’am, please consider this perspective as well:
The Central Government has followed a 5-day working week since 1985, almost from the time you began your distinguished journalism career in 1984.
Central & many State Government offices, NABARD, SEBI, stock exchanges and several other service-oriented institutions already function on a 5-day week. Banking employees are only seeking the same reasonable work-life balance.
Customer convenience need not suffer. Even today, some banks operate Sunday-working branches with staggered weekly offs. The same principle can easily provide selected Saturday-working branches, with their staff getting an alternative weekly off, say on Monday. Solutions for genuine customer requirements are entirely possible.
More importantly, banking today is available 24×7 through ATMs, UPI, mobile banking, internet banking, NEFT/RTGS and other digital channels. But behind this round-the-clock banking are human beings who increasingly find there is virtually no disconnect from work. Bank employees are facing growing workloads, constant connectivity and burnout. A proper weekend is not merely about an additional holiday, it is about mental well-being and returning to work more productive and efficient.
Bankers ensure 24×7 banking for the country. They too deserve a genuine weekend, like employees of other major institutions.
In March 2024, IBA agreed to introduce the 5-day banking system; it should not remain on the Government’s back burner. #5DayBankingNow#AIBOC@PMOIndia https://t.co/897AuKClub
We are united in our demand for the 5-day week; let’s turn the agreement into reality without further delay. #5DayBankingNow#AIBOC@PMOIndia https://t.co/YDE7sDGrQx