National Organisation of Bank Workers (NOBW) urged the Government to think seriously over changing the working days of Banks from six to five days a week. The decision was taken at the All India Working Committee of the organisation that met in Chennai recently. The meeting said that the present crises of petroleum products and abnormal hike in petrol and diesel prices are some of the reasons behind such a demand. The Reserve Bank of India has already resorted to this practice. The international banks also work on five days. The large network of ATMs can serve the customers for one day. Most of the banks have only half-day working day on Saturday and it won'tbe inconvenient, if Saturdays are closed for the full day. The meeting also decided to observe a Demands Day on August 1 to press for their demands like early settlement of one more pension option, speedy disposal of compassionate appointment, early wage settlement and to stop outsourcing.
(FOC)
