NUBIFIE pickets Polaris Bank over unjust sack of workers

The National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFE) on Tuesday protested at the head office of Polaris Bank in Lagos over unlawful sack of workers.

With planks written:’ Respect Collective Bargaining rights of workers”, members and leaders of the union expressed sadness to the management of the bank for laying off over 40 of its workers nationwide without following due process, ”Accrued entitlement and allowances was not paid. We only got a one month basic salary which is which is unlawful,”

The General Secretary of NUBIFIE, Muhammed Sheikh, while speaking to newsmen the unlawful layoffs are a gross violation of workers’ right to a collectively bargained existing package which is also against labour laws.

He said, the union got reliable information prior to the sacking and that it wrote severally to the management of the bank to desist from it or be mindful of due process if they are planning to sack, but they ignored the warning.

“The new management came on board barely six months ago and instead of settling down to look at how to move the bank forward, they started sacking workers.

As a CEO, you can’t just wake up and ask them to go in a carverniel manner with just one month basic salary. They are procedures backed up by law which must be followed. This are workers that have put in their best for like 15, 20 years in the company and you are waking up to sack them with just a month basic salary? Its unlawful and I don’t think any government will want to hear that even the new government will not welcome unlawful sack of workers,” he said.

Sheikh disclosed that, over 40 people have been layed off nationwide, “We got information that they are compiling more list. And as we talk with you, they have asked the drivers to go and register with Ulber meaning that they have practically disengaged them. They are saying they should register with Ulber that when they need their service they will call them. What about the years of service they have put in place with them? Is it going to go down the lane? They are depriving them of their legitimate right.
“We are concerned about the sack and the process. It has to be justified. The issue we are contending with is the sack and the process

He said, the protest for today is a warning shot from the banking sector. “NLC, human rights and Civil society are also standing by with us. We will be out tomorrow with a different picture if nothing happens today. We are ready to continue with this until the right thing is done. We are here to help them respect the law.”

In response to the issue, the management of Polaris Bank said it was ready to resolve the issues as it presented a letter signed by the bank’s Talent and Culture officer, Olarenwaju Oyekunle, and General Counsel, Segun Tawoju to the leadership of the union inviting them for dialogue.

The letter read: “Given the cordial relationship that had existed between the bank and the union over the years, we are of the opinion that any concern from either party can be resolved through the round table.

In view of the above, we request a meeting between the management team of the bank and a delegation of NUBIFIE on June 7, 2023, by 10.00 a.m. at our office to discuss outstanding issues with the view to having a resolution while requesting you recall your members from our business locations.”