The National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) has announced that its members will join the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in its two-day strike action.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Mohammed Sheikh, NUBIFIE directed all members to stay off duty during the two-day strike.

The statement reads in part, “In line with the communique issued after the meeting of National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) held on Thursday 31st August 2023 that all affiliates should direct all its members to commence two days’ withdrawal of services from Tuesday, September 5 and Wednesday, September 6, 2023.”

NUBIFIE added that “The directive is imperative to get the needed attention of the government and warn it of its newfound love of meddling in the internal affairs of unions rather than address the punishing economic circumstances we find ourselves in.”

What does NUBIFIE’s statement mean?

From the statement, NUBIFIE directed all organs to comply with this directive by ensuring all members stay off duty for two days.

This means that workers in Nigerian banks such as GTB,  Zenith Bank, Access Bank as well as insurance companies, are likely to stay off work.

President of the Union, Abakpa Anthony told newsmen that they decided to join the NLC in the strike since they are part of the suffering.

He said, “The directive stands unless the federal government says otherwise.”

NLC strike: What you need to know

Recall that the NLC recently announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike to protest the hike in petrol pump price, and electricity tariff, alongside other issues. The union also accused the federal government of abandoning negotiations.

Moreso, the NLC said the government has failed to implement some of the resolutions reached at previous meetings.

The industrial action is scheduled to start on Tuesday, 5th of September, 2023.