Customers Storm ATMs As Bank Workers Join NLC  Strike

Bank workers under the aegis of Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFE, have shut down services in all the banks across the country as part of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC strike that started on Tuesday.

Some customers who spoke to the magazine on Tuesday said they were not allowed into the banking halls, lamenting how the two-day strike will affect their businesses.

The NLC President Joe Ajaero had directed its members across the country to abandon work to press home their demands on the federal government end the sufferings Nigerians are going through due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

On Monday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong made a last-ditch effort to stop the strike by appealing to the union. NLC however accused the minister of dictatorship in the manner he has managed the crisis since becoming minister.

What this means, according to those monitoring the situation is that customers will not be allowed into the banking halls of the over 20 deposit money banks, DMBs, and other financial institutions, OFIs, to carry out their transactions for 48 hours.

Customers will however be able to perform self-services by using the ATM and other digital banking services for cash withdrawal and transfer for the period of the warning strike, sources in the banks said.

The strike which has already commenced today will continue on Wednesday except the NLC and federal government reached an agreement.

According to a statement signed by NUBIFE President Mohammed Sheikh, and the union general secretary on Monday, bank workers joined the strike because they are suffering like other Nigerians because of the current economic situation in the country.

The Union said the federal government should make concerted efforts to tackle the problems instead of meddling in the affairs of labour unions.

NUBIFE said, “In line with the communique issued after the meeting of National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) held on Thursday 31 August 2023 that all affiliates should direct all its members to commence two days’ withdrawal of services from Tuesday September 5 and Wednesday September 6, 2023.

“The directive is imperative to get the needed attention of the government and warn it of its new found love of meddling in the internal affairs of unions rather than address the punishing economic circumstances we find ourselves in.

“We hereby direct all our organs to comply with this directive by ensuring all our members stay off duty for the two days.”

Appealing to the organized labour on Monday Lalong said, “It has become pertinent to appeal to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to suspend its intended two-day warning strike, as such action would be detrimental to the gains already being recorded on our course to securing a greater future for Nigerian workers and citizens at large.

“Furthermore, I would request that the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress gives this government some time to settle and address the issues on the ground holistically.

“It should be realised that the cabinet of this administration was only recently sworn in by Mr. President and all cabinet members have hit the ground running by receiving briefings from their MDAs.

“Therefore, the issues raised by the leadership of the NLC are some issues that I and the Hon. Minister of State for Labour and Employment are being briefed upon. In the next few weeks, we intend to address them holistically.

“Consequently, I use this opportunity to reassure Nigerian workers that this government would never take them for granted nor fail to appreciate their support and understanding.

We shall continue to pursue policies aimed at massive employment generation in all sectors of the economy as well as look into immediate challenges that have emerged from the policies of the government. We cannot do this in an atmosphere devoid of industrial peace,” the minister said.