The employment guidelines provides in clear forms good industrial relations principles and key terms and conditions of employment to be observed by stakeholders.
By Eberechi Obinagwam
Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institution, (ASSBIFI) and the National Union of Banks Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, (NUBIFIE) on Friday in celebration of Decent Work Day, October 7 unveiled new guidelines on Labour Administration Issues in contract staffing and outsourcing non-payment workers in banks, insurance and financial institutions.
ASSBIFI president, Comrade Oyinkan Olasanoye, while unveiling the new guidelines in a joint briefing with NUBIFIE president, Comrade Anthony Abakpa, in Lagos said the new guidelines were formarly released for implementation at the federal secretariat complex, Abuja.
She said the new employment guidelines were signed into law on 8th September, 2022 by the Honorable Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, pursuant to the powers conferred on the Honourable Minister of labour and Employment by section 88 (i) (e) and (g) of the labour Act, Cap L1 Laws of the federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.
Reading out what is in the new guidelines she said, “The employment guidelines provide in clear forms good industrial relations principles and key terms and conditions of employment to be observed by stakeholders in the banks, insurance and financial institutions.
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“The identified principles on the guidelines includes entry requirement and minimum pay for non-permanent employees, career path and development and the right to unionise and to collective bargaining, trade dispute resolution procedures, disciplinary procedure, compliance with standards and labour requirement and exist procedures and benefits for the workers.
“The guidelines will improve job satisfaction and staff performance, reduce incidences of frauds, traceable to discontented casual workers in the financial sector and generally reduce exploitation and other unfair labour practices capable of escalating industrial conflicts and crises in the workplace. It will regulate the condition of employment and standardize non-permanent employment, especially in the area of career progression, salaries, and wages, disciplinary measures, health and safety, corporate performance, and productivity.”
Onyekunsola disclosed that the request for the new employment guidelines started a decade back and with the active participation of representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Association (ASSBIFI) and the National Union of banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE)
According to her, with the signing and approval of the employment guidelines by the government, relevant stakeholders especially employers in the banks, insurance, and financial sector are implored to cooperate and collaborate with local agencies of government and unions concerned to achieve the objectives of these guidelines and improve industrial relations practices and standards in Nigeria.
“Without a doubt, this guideline will bring a fresh breath of life to many in the sector, improve industrial relations, reduce the incidence of fraud and create productivity,” she said.
