Bank workers may begin strike on Monday

With bank workers set to go on strike on Monday, access to new naira notes may become even more difficult.

The strike is being called in response to attacks on bank employees by depositors of old N,1000, N500, and N200 notes.

The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has advised bankers to avoid any state where banks are being attacked by depositors due to cash shortages.

According to the association’s President, Comrade Olusoji Oluwole, the action will continue daily until normalcy is restored.

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

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

“We issued warnings and appeals fo 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 fo continue every day until . normalcy is restored.

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