ASSBIFI unveils FG’s approved employment guidelines on Labour issues in financial institutions

UFOMBA UZUEGBU

Organized labour under the aegis of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions(ASSBIFI) and National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions(NUBIFIE), Thursday in Lagos publicly unveiled the Federal Government’s newly approved  Employment Guidelines on labour issues on contract staffing in banks and allied institutions in of the country.

The ceremony coincided with this year’s celebration of  “World Day for Decent Work”, with the theme:  “Wage Justice”.

Welcoming guests to the occasion, the President of ASSBIFI, Comrade Oyinkan Olasanoye commended the government for the gesture and expressed optimism that the guidelines would bring fresh breath in the lives of many workers in the sector, improve industrial relations, reduce the incidence of fraud and increase productivity.

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment held a ceremony on September 8, 2022′ at the Federal Secretariat Complex, where it formally released for implementation, the Guidelines on Labour and Administration issues in contract staffing/outsourcing Non-permanent workers in Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions.

The Guidelines were signed into law on September 8, by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, under the powers of the Minister, by Section 88 9e and(g) of the Labour Act, Cap L1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN 2004).

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.

The ASSBIFI boss expressed gratitude to the Minister, Ngige for accelerating the process which culminated in what they were presenting to the public.

“With the signing and approval of this guideline by Government, relevant stakeholders, especially employers in the Banks, Insurance and Financial sector, are implored to cooperate and collaborate with local agencies of government and the unions concerned to achieve the objectives of these guidelines”, Olanasoye said.

She implored the press to help in publicising the Guideline and bring it to the knowledge of all operators of the Guideline to check unfair labour practices, exploitation and grievances in the sector.

She noted that reliable but unempirical records available to the unions point to the fact that most insider-induced frauds, particularly in the Banks, are perpetuated by most disgruntled casual workers.

“These employees do not have the training and orientation usually given to the regular employees, they do not have that sense of belonging because of their poor conditions of employment which open them to temptation.

“But today, with this guideline, the non-permanent employee, can pursue a career line, unionise and draw benefits of Collective Bargained agreements which are open to them”, she added.

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