Bank workers may begin strike on Monday

The challenge of accessing new naira notes may worsen from Monday with bank workers set to begin a strike.

The industrial action, The Nation learnt, is owing to attacks on bank workers by depositors of the old N,1000, N500 and N200 notes.

The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institution (ASSBIFI) directed bankers to stay away in any State where banks are attacked by depositors owing to cash scarcity.

The action will continue daily until normalcy is restored, according to the President of the association, Comrade Olusoji Oluwole.

The directive was contained in a statement dated February 17, 2023 with reference number ANS/WR/JA/OP/5018 titled “Stay at home order” and to all units president and secretaries.

It states in part:  “The National Secretariat has been inundated with reports of threats and attacks on lives and properties of members and bank branches, and subsequently has been on the field to monitor and confirm the reports.

“We issued wamings and appeals for government to provide security measure for the safety of lives and properties of our members within and around the bank premises but regrettably the attacks have continued without any form of security for the safety of our members, and the recent being the attack today, Friday 17th February 2023 on one bank branch at Epe. Lagos State.

“We cannot leave the lives and properties of our members exposed to obvious danger.

“Consequently, all members should today immediately stay away from work in any state where bank branches are attacked.

“This is of continue every day until normalcy is restored.

“Please note, you will be availed further directives as events develop”.

(Nation)