Workers in the nation’s banking sector at the weekend threatened to
ground all banking operations
nationwide beginning from January 2, 2020.
The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial
Institutions (ASSBIFI) and its counterpart, the National Union of Banks
Insurance and Financial Institutions (NUBIFIE) told newmen that workers in the
sector would embark on an indefinite strike over failure of their employers to
review the Collective Bargaining Agreement in line with extant law.
Speaking at the ASSBIFI 10th Triennial National Delegates Conference held
at the NAF Conference Centre,
Abuja, the President of the union,
Oyinkansola Olasanoye said there has been a deliberate disrespect of
Human Rights by some of the employers (Banks) contrary to the provision of the
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Olasanoye said “We have been stretched beyond limit and we are by this
meeting informing our employers and the Federal Government that if the
employers in the banks fail to come to the negotiating table as we have written
them, by January 2, 2020 the two unions
in the sector will shut down operations,” .
She lamented that despite the fact
that the union as a reasonable trade union has continued to use dialogue
option, the employers have been reluctant and
refused to come to the negotiation table for a review of the expired
Collective Agreement for the industry since 2007 as per provisions of Wages
Board and Industrial Council Acts of 1973.
The ASSBIFI President who was
re-elected for the second term saluted the courage and commitment of the CBN
for policy formulations in the quest to resuscitate the economy.
She however urged both the CBN and National Insurance Commission (NAICOM)
to thread with caution and not to stampede operators or allow ill-experience
foreigners to hijack the companies in the name of recapitalisation, adding that
this will further jeopardise the situation in the financial services sector .
Also speaking at the event, the President, Trade Union Congress (TUC) ,
Quadri Olaleye, said the rate of unemployment and crime has been on the rise.
