NLC to shut banks for sacking workers

NLC president, Abdulwaheed Omar

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday threatened to shut down the six banks that recently sacked their workers, giving the affected banks two weeks ultimatum to recall the sacked workers and allow unionization.
The workers’ sack has already pitched labour against employers of labour in the country with the umbrella body of the employers, the Nigeria Employers Consultative Assembly, saying the government has no right to ask the banks not to sack workers.
Labour on its part threatened to picket the banks if they fail to halt the mass sack of workers, accusing them of not allowing unionization and reneging on the principles of collective bargaining.
In a letter to the management of the six banks and signed by its Deputy  General Secretary, Chris Uyot, the NLC said  labour will be forced to close the banks and their branches nationwide if they fail to recall the affected workers.
The affected banks are – Fidelity Bank, Diamond Bank, First City Monument Bank, First Bank, Ecobank and Skye Bank.

The letter to one of the affected banks management reads: “I have been directed to inform you that, it has been brought to our notice by our affiliate union, the National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) that your bank is one of those that have arbitrarily sacked a large number of workers in recent times contrary to laid down procedures and the country’s extant labour laws.
“Also, of concern has been that these blatant retrenchments were carried out without recourse to several correspondence, including letters and circulars sent to you by the union to retrace your steps in line with best practices in labour relations and laws of the land.
“By this letter, we are giving your bank 14 days  ultimatum commencing  from Thursday, 16th June, 2016 to recall all the sacked workers or face industrial action, which  may include ensuring that your bank and all its outlets are closed for business nationwide. While looking forward to your honouring our request, please, accept our goodwill and best regards.”

The Nation