This will allow bank workers to perform to their full potential
LAHORE: Bank workers in Pakistan are facing a hard time because of the long hours of work. As they have gruelling timings, 9am to 5pm is dedicated to customer service and even after that it takes a lot of time before they finish their work. Every bank worker wants to quit his or her job but due to the high rate of inflation, unemployment and poverty, people continue to work for banks.
Private banks are now extending their banking hours, ie, from 9am to 9pm. Every bank worker has to work 10-12 hours with a modest salary and non-stop banking hours — a clear violation of labour laws. All this is destroying their personal and social life. And what makes things worse is that banks often give their employees poor appraisals.
Although bank workers are facing high stress, the current state of unemployment is forcing them to stay on in their jobs. Bank work has become physical and mental torture leading to dispondency and serious illnesses. Banking hours must therefore be reduced, serving customers between 9am and 3pm. After that another two hours could be kept for closing operations. This will allow bank workers to perform to their full potential.
A Khan and Talha Ahmed
Pakistan Bankers Association, Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2018.
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