FG directs banks to suspend retrenchment, conveys reconciliatory stakeholders meeting in July

Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment at the weekend called for the suspension of the ongoing retrenchment in the banking sector across the country.

The Minister who pledged to broker reconciliatory meeting by first week of July 2016, also urged the labour unions to suspend action on the ongoing picketing of banks and financial institutions without further delay.

He said: “Following the high spate of petitions and complaints from stakeholders in the Banking, Insurance and Financial Institutions, I hereby direct the suspension of the on-going retrenchment in the sector 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.

“This decision is further predicated on the fact that the continued retrenchment and redundancy by the banks and other financial institutions are jeopardizing the outcome of the conciliatory and mediatory processes being undertaking by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

“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, 2016.

“All parties are therefore advised in the interest of industrial peace and harmony to maintain the status-quo ante-belum,” Ngige said in a statement issued on Friday.

Meanwhile, the organized labour has threatened a national action over the proposed plan to embark on public private partnership (PPP) of public schools in Oyo State.

Ayuba Wabba, NLC President stated this in a letter sent to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State.

Wabba who expressed displeasure over the development also called for unconditional release of all its members who were arrested and detained by the law enforcement agencies during a peaceful protest on the policy.

“We wish to express our dismay at the harassment, arrest and detention of our members for peacefully protesting against government’s policy of giving away public schools to individuals or organisations in the guise of Public-Private Partnership.
“Please do permit us to state that the right to peaceful protest against a wrong is guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Labour Laws, ILO Conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory, and Human Rights Laws and cannot be abridged by government.
“We hold the view that the public schools which the Government of Oyo State has put up for sale without due process or the consent of the people is not only ultra vires, it constitutes a betrayal of the people and the ideals for which Chief Awolowo stood.
“These public schools were built with the blood and sweat of the people and not a few, including Your Excellency and members of your cabinet, were grand beneficiaries of this public school system.
“To auction out these schools, lock, stock and barrel, to the highest bidders offends moral decency and social justice as it denies generations of the children of the poor access to education guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“Your Excellency may wish to recall that the Federal Government quickly jettisoned this policy in the past when certain elements in the education system foisted it on Unity Schools.

“History, we dare say, will be reluctant to forgive you, if you impose it on the people using garrison powers.

“In light of the above, we strongly urge you to vacate this policy as well as cause to be released unconditionally, all those who have been arrested and detained by the Police and taken to Court. Criminalising labour issues will not be helpful to our industrial relations – conflict resolution process.
“We call for an amicable resolution of this matter for the interest of justice and industrial harmony.  However, we will not hesitate to call for a national action in support of our members in Oyo State if the State Government fails to see the wisdom in our unsolicited advice,” the NLC President urged.

 

KEHINDE AKINTOLA