“It’s Not Easy”: Access, UBA, Zenith, GTbank Branches Stay Open as Managers Order Workers To Report to Duty

• Nigerian bank branches across the country remained open despite calls from bank unions to join the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warning strike
• The bank’s union issued a notice to its members, asking them not to resume work on Tuesday and Wednesday
• Checks by Legit.ng show that bank branches visited on Tuesday morning were open, as managers ordered workers to resume work

Nigerian banks and other financial institutions remained open today(Tuesday, September 5, 2023) despite indications to join the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) warning strike against the hardships caused by the petrol subsidy removal.

Legit.ng earlier reported that the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) issued a statement saying all bank branches would be shut on Tuesday and Wednesday.

However, most branches visited by Legit.ng on Tuesday morning showed no sign of a strike, as workers were seen stationed at their duty posts.

In an interview, a teller at a First Bank branch in Airport Road explained that she can’t risk her job when there is no formal communication to stay at home.

Her words:

“My line manager sent us a message to disregard the warning strike and resume work, that it was our responsibility to serve our customers, you don’t expect me to stay at home.”

The same scenario was observed at Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank, Zenith, EcoBank and United Bank of Africa branches that were visited.

An Ecobank manager who gave his name as Chuks told Legit.ng that no bank will just shut down.

The branches will remain open, but activities might not proceed as usual due to the strike.

His words:

“Of course, we will attend to our customers while we await further directives from the headquarters. It is not easy to close down as we have responsibilities to our customers.”

Speaking to Legit.ng about the plans by NUBIFIE to shut branches, Uju Ogubunka, the President of the Bank Customer Association of Nigeria (BCAN), noted that such a move should be justified.

He emphasized that customers have the right to access their money, but if a planned strike is intended for the greater good of the public, it should be considered.

“We are all in this together. If the planned strike is well-intended towards ameliorating the conditions of Nigerians, then it can be allowed, but customers’ rights must be protected.”

FG moves to end 0.5% deductions on banks’ accounts

In another report, revealed that Nigerian banks are set to receive good news soon as the federal government has decided to wind down AMCON.

AMCON was introduced in 2010 to help recover the bad loans in the banking system.

To achieve this, AMCON removes 0.5% of every bank’s total assets, including off-balance sheet assets.

Source: Legit.ng