In response to allegations of wrongful disengagement and refusal to pay severance benefits to over thirty departing employees, the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has threatened to use all of its networks to organize affiliate trade unions and employees to picket Heritage Bank’s headquarters.
Olusoji Oluwole, National President of ASSBIFI, spoke at a press conference and bemoaned the unfair labor practices being carried out against workers employed by the lender. He also expressed concerns about the safety of the salaries of affiliated unions and Nigerians whose savings and salaries are held by the bank, particularly in light of recent allegations that have called into question the bank’s viability.
He claimed that despite attempts by the union to employ social dialogue and its non-adversarial policy, there have been numerous unfair labor practices on the vulnerable workers since new management took over. He also claimed that the union has continuously abused the relationship that has been developed over the years.
Oluwole said that 30 ASSBIFI employees—including the organization’s main national officer—were fired in May without following the proper procedures.
“This action is an outright violation of the ILO Convention 158 on Termination of Employment, Cap L1, LFN 2004, the ASSBIFI industry-wide collective agreement,” he claims, along with Section 20 of the Labour Act.
He claimed that in spite of the union’s efforts to demand justice for the workers, the bank persisted in firing the employees in accordance with corporate policy, without consulting the union or engaging in legally required conversation.
He said that after three months, the union asked the bank to provide information about the payments and settlements of severance benefits made to the allegedly disengaged workers, but the bank was unable to provide the necessary paperwork.
Oluwole said: “Heritage Bank asked the workers to go home empty-handed. The employees have worked for the bank for periods ranging from five to 25 years.” This is the worst kind of unfairness and exploitation. We strongly object to this slavery because it is wrong, unfair, and insensitive.
“ASSBIFI will not be reluctant to utilize its networks and agreements to galvanize affiliated labor unions and Nigerian laborers in defense of the rights and benefits of our members within this establishment,” he continued.
Nevertheless, calls to the Heritage Bank media team were not returned, thus attempts to get in touch with them were unsuccessful.
