The economic hardship faced by Nigerians arising from the present cash crunch may worsen next week if bank workers make good their threat to go on strike from Monday.
The planned strike, according to sources, is not unconnected with attacks on bank workers by some customers, who have been venting their anger on the staff and facilities following their inability to withdraw money from their accounts.
The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institution (ASSBIFI) directed bank staff to stay away from work in any State where banks are attacked by depositors due to Naira scarcity.
The action, according to the ASSBIFI National President Olusoji Oluwole, will continue daily until normalcy is restored.
The directive was contained in a memo dated February 17, 2023 with reference number ANS/WR/JA/OP/5018 titled “Stay at home order” and to all units president and secretaries.
The memo read 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 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, in 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”.
