Banking services were impacted across Puducherry on Friday as over 500 employees and officers across public sector banks participated in the one-day nationwide strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU).

Branches of banks across the city downed shutters in response to the strike called by UFBU, an umbrella body of seven unions, to press for immediate implementation of a five-day workweek and resolve pending wage-related issues.

Bank staff staged a dharna in front of the UCO Bank in support of their demands.

The unions have also demanded updation and improvement of pension, a uniform dearness allowance formula for all pensioners and an option for employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) to switch to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).