Divya Delhi: Even as bank employees demand a 5-day work week, reports say the finance ministry may approve the long-standing request by December 2024. Thus, bank branches will close on Saturdays and Sundays instead of Sundays and second and fourth Saturdays. Employee unions and the Indian Banks' Association (IBA) have reached an accord. Bank employee unions promise no reduction in customer service hours. The timing will be adjusted to lengthen working hours by roughly 40 minutes. The All India Bank Officers' Confederation (AIBOC) encouraged the finance ministry and Prime Minister's Office to approve the 5-day work week “for the well-being of bank employees and to further enhance the banking sector's efficiency” in a post on X. Banking is a stressful, long-hours job with no room for error. Banks should prioritize a 5-day work week, according to AIBOC. It stated that the 5-day work week increases productivity, efficiency, minimizes work-related stress, and promotes growth worldwide. An MOU was struck between the Indian Banks' Association (IBA), which includes government-run and private lenders, and bank unions. This agreement proposed a 5-day workweek with government support. The IBA and bank unions signed the 9th Joint Note on March 8, 2024. IBA and the All India Bank Officers' Confederation signed the Joint Note, which specified a 5-day week with Saturdays and Sundays off.