Mr. Ayuba Wabba, president of the Nigerian Labour Congress, said on Wednesday in Abuja that the Congress has withdrawn the strike notice it served on six commercial banks over the mass sacking of workers and redundancy in the banking sector on 15th June 2016.
Wabba, stated this during a joint press briefing with the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Assembly, Dr. Abiodun Oshinowo.
He added that the decision was taken after a productive meeting of Labour and NECA .
Wabba said that it was agreed that all grievances, including the strike notice should be put on hold while awaiting the outcome of a meeting proposed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
He explained that the leadership of the NLC had been briefed by its affiliate union, the National Union of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions Employees, on the extent of its engagement with the affected banks on the contentious issues.
He said that the meeting dwelt on the process, the procedure and the position of law on the declaration of redundancy, non-unionisation of workers and the payment of protection fees by some of the banks and agreed that the issues be taken to the Federal Government’s meeting for resolution.
Suspension of hostilities
Wabba said, “This afternoon, we had a very productive meeting led by the DG of NECA, and his members from the banks particularly on the issue of the mass sacking and redundancy in the banks of which you are aware NLC has issued a notice to picket those banks.
“All of us have come to the conclusion that such a meeting is necessary and we have also taken on board the interest of the workers as provided for by the laws especially section 20 of the trade union Act which provides for such dialogue, such consultation before such a process is concluded.
“And we have looked at the pros and the cons especially the process and also the fact that our affiliate, NUBIFIE, was able to also update us on how far they have gone with the process of engagement with the various banks.
“We have come to an agreement and understanding that all of us will also agree to attend the tripartite meeting that is being proposed by the Federal Ministry of Labour to look at other issues auxiliary to this. And we have also agreed as NLC working with our affiliates to suspend all forms of hostilities including the picketing until that meeting takes place under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Labour.”