Bank workers in Nigeria can now heave a temporary sigh of relief!
The Federal Government just waded in and halted their nightmares by ordering their employers to suspend the sack fever which is currently ravaging the sector.
So far, Diamond Bank and Ecobank, have relieved almost 2000 bankers of their jobs. And with the rumour of more heads likely to follow, the FG, through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, had to quickly wade in.
Here is what a press statement issued by the Minister, a one-time Governor of Anambra State and Senator of the Federal Republic, told them:
“Following spate of petitions and complaints from stakeholders in the banking, insurance and financial institutions, I hereby direct the suspension of the on-going retrenchment pending the outcome of the conciliatory meetings in the industry.
“This is as a result of the apprehension by my office of the various disputes in the sector in accordance and in compliance with the provisions of the labour laws of Nigeria”. Adding:
“In this wise, all the retrenchments and redundancies done in the last four months and all proposed ones should be put on hold.
“Pending the outcome of the proposed stakeholders’ summit for the banking, insurance and financial institutions’ employers and employees, slated for the first week of July 2,’’ the statement equally said.