Parliament Question: Demand for five working days from bank employees

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1187 ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY, 2026 / 21 MAGHA, 1947 (SAKA) DEMAND FOR FIVE WORKING DAYS FROM BANK EMPLOYEES 1187. SHRI CHANDRAKANT DAMODAR HANDORE: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether the demand for five day working from Public Sector Bank employees has not been approved by Government, if so, the reasons therefor; (b) whether the Indian Banking Association has recommended five day working for PSB employees, if so, the details thereof; and (c) whether Government intends to approve the PSB employees demand for five day working, if so, by when it will be implemented? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY) (a) to (c): Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) vide letter dated 12.07.2023 has submitted a proposal to the Government to declare all Saturdays as banking holiday. In regard to the Saturdays being public holiday, subsequent to 10th Bipartite settlement / 7th Joint note signed between IBA and Banks’ Workmen Unions / Officer Associations, Government, in exercise of powers conferred by section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, vide notification dated 20.8.2015, had declared the second and the fourth Saturdays of every month as public holiday for banks in India. ***