In a resolute show of unity, bank employees rally to oppose the questionable dismissals at Heritage Bank Plc. The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) issued a powerful warning, announcing its intention to utilize its vast network to galvanize affiliate trade unions and Nigerian workers against the Heritage Bank management.
Trouble began when Heritage Bank terminated the contracts of more than 30 ASSBIFI members, including a Principal National Officer, in May 2023. Shockingly, these employees were left without any compensation or transparent justification for their abrupt dismissal.
Olusoji Oluwole, the President of ASSBIFI, expresses his deep frustration with Heritage Bank’s ongoing pattern of unfair labor practices targeting vulnerable Nigerian workers. According to Oluwole, Heritage Bank’s actions blatantly disregard Section 20 of the Labor Act, Cap L1, LFN 2004, the ASSBIFI Industry Wide Collective Agreement, and ILO Convention 158 on Termination of Employment. These regulations clearly stipulate that an employee’s contract cannot be terminated without a valid reason.
The National Industrial Court (NIC) has recognized this violation, and ASSBIFI firmly stands by these labor protections. As the statutory representative of senior employees in Nigeria’s financial sector, ASSBIFI has made numerous attempts to engage with Heritage Bank in order to seek justice for the wrongfully terminated workers.
Despite these efforts, Heritage Bank insisted on dismissing employees based solely on their company policy, refusing to engage in any negotiation or dialogue with the union, as required by law. ASSBIFI repeatedly requested Heritage Bank to provide documentation of the company policy and details concerning the severance benefits paid to the dismissed employees. However, more than three months have passed, and Heritage Bank has failed to produce these essential documents.
The situation has raised serious concerns about Heritage Bank’s financial stability. ASSBIFI acknowledges recent reports that have questioned the bank’s financial health, suggesting that it may lack the resources needed to fulfill its obligations to its employees. This situation also underscores worries about the safety of Nigerian workers in affiliated unions who have their salaries deposited in Heritage Bank.
Frustrated by the unproductive engagements with Heritage Bank’s management representatives, who either lacked the authority to make concrete decisions or lacked genuine motives to resolve the matter amicably, ASSBIFI has decided to take its grievances public. The association is committed to leveraging its extensive network to mobilize affiliate trade unions and Nigerian workers to stand up for the rights and privileges of its members at Heritage Bank.
In conclusion, the association hopes that Heritage Bank will take the necessary steps to rectify what it sees as an ongoing injustice and exploitation of its members. The message to Heritage Bank is clear: it’s never too late to do what is right and create a better working environment for all employees.
Source: [Vanguard]
