Last minutes efforts were being made on Monday to avert the two-day strike action called by Nigeria’s Labour Unions billed to commence tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday as the National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions has called on banks to shut their doors to customers. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon. Simon
Last minutes efforts were being made on Monday to avert the two-day strike action called by Nigeria’s Labour Unions billed to commence tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday as the National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions has called on banks to shut their doors to customers.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong on Monday summoned a meeting involving all relevant stakeholders including the leadership of NLC to a negotiation table in Abuja.
He later appealed to the organised Labour to shelve their strike in the interest of Nigerians in order to allow all stakeholders to work towards amicable resolution on all the issues on ground. At the same time, Lalong said that the NLC was yet to furnish his office with letter on their proposed action, saying he got to know of their plans through media reports.
The Labour Minister said, “In light of these matters, I would like to reiterate my appeal to the leadership of the NLC to suspend their planned 2-day warning strike, and subsequent future actions, and to allow us to work together to amicably resolve these issues rather than embark on actions that would further worsen the conditions of the citizens of Nigeria,”
The Minister noted that government has started taking steps to cushion the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy which are being implemented by the three tiers of Government.
“While some of these policies are being planned and fine-tuned, others are being rolled out as palliative measures to bring temporary relief to Nigerians. On the long run, the government of President Tinubu will put in place measures that will empower the people as well as create jobs and prosperity.
“As we continue in this direction therefore, we must ensure that there is a robust line of communication with Nigerians and in particular the organised labour to forestall a breakdown of industrial peace which would no doubt reverse some of the gains already made”
Several affiliates and organs of the NLC have issued directives to their members to comply with the warning strike starting tomorrow.
NUBIFIE Directs Banks and Financial Institutions to Shut Their Doors
The National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees in a statement urged its members to comply with the NLC directives. In a statement titled: Notice on Two-Days Withdrawal of Services the union wrote inter alia:
“In line with the communique issued after the meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) held on Thursday 31st August 2023, that all affiliates should direct all its members to commence two days’ withdrawal of services from Tuesday and Wednesday 5th and 6th September 2023.
“The directive is imperative to get the needed attention of government and warn it of its new found love of meddling in the internal affairs of the unions rather than address the punishing economic circumstances we found ourselves
“We hereby direct all our organs to comply with this directive by ensuring all our members stay off duties for two days. Your cooperation in this regard will be appreciated”
The statement was signed by the Union’s General Secretary, Muhammed I. Ishaku.
NUBIFIE PDF
It is yet unclear, whether all the affiliates of the NLC and especially those of the Trade Union Congress will participate in the strike action.
