NUBIFIE protest mass sack at Polaris Bank without due process
By Eberechi Obinagwam
The National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFE) on Tuesday protested at the head office of Polaris Bank in Lagos over an unlawful sack of workers.
The union, while staging a protest with solidarity songs and placards, expressed grievances to the management of the bank for laying off over 40 of its workers nationwide without following due process by paying their accrued entitlement and allowances.
The General Secretary of NUBIFIE, Muhammed Sheikh, while speaking to newsmen, described the act as a violation of workers’ rights and disregard for labour laws.
“It is a gross violation of workers’ right to a collectively bargained existing package which is also against labour laws,” he said.
According to him, 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.
“There are procedures backed up by law and as a CEO you can’t just wake up and ask them to go in a cavallier manner with just one month’s basic salary. These are workers that have put in their best for like 5, 10, 20 years in the company,” he said.
“So far, 40 people have been exited nationwide and 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 Uber meaning that they have practically disengaged them.
“They are saying they should register with Uber 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. No government will want to tolerate unemployment. The issue we are contending with is the sack and the process.”
He said the protest for today is a warning shot to the banking sector.
“NLC, human rights and Civil society are also standing by 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.”
The management of Polaris Bank in its response said it was ready to resolve the issues in 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.”
Also, in a circular release from the bank signed by its Group Head, Brand Management & Corporate Communication, Nduneche Ezurike titled: “NUBIFIE Picketing: Polaris Bank restates commitment to staff welfare’
Ezurike in the statement said the bank did not violate any law in a recent disengagement of some staff done in line with the terms of the contract guiding their engagements
According to him, the bank has engaged and will continue to engage the union to resolve any lingering labour matters.
“The Bank emphasized that a cordial relationship has existed between her and the union over the years and believes that concerns raised by either party can be effectively addressed through dialogue,” he said.