Shillong, January 22: Banks across Meghalaya will participate in the nationwide bank strike on January 27, 2026, following a call by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) over the delay in government approval of employment-related reforms in the banking sector.

Addressing the media on Thursday, leaders of the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation (AIBOC) and the Meghalaya Bank Employees’ Association said the strike would be observed by all categories of banks, including public sector, private, foreign, regional rural and cooperative banks.

The UFBU is demanding implementation of a five-day work week by declaring all remaining Saturdays as holidays, in line with recommendations made by the Indian Banks’ Association under agreements signed in December 2023 and March 2024. The proposal has been pending government approval for nearly two years.

Union leaders said nearly eight lakh bank employees and officers across the country are expected to participate. They added that a five-day work week is already in place in institutions such as the RBI and in Central and State government offices, and argued that customer services would not be affected due to digital banking facilities.