As the World on 7th 0ctober, celebrated Decent work in working places, the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has called for an end to indecent work policy and arbitrary sack of workers without following lay down policies by Managements and Employers, especially in the Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions.
Acting National President of Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, (ASSBIFI) Comrade Fanimokun Adesina made the call at an occasion to celebrate the day by the Association at its events centre in Alausa, Ikeja.
ASSBIFI Acting National President, Comrade Fanimokun Adesina speaking at the occasion.
His speech. "Today in the Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, we have witnessed significant displacement of permanent decent work with casual, contract employees, and third-party outsourcing. Graduates with commanding degrees-and professional qualifications are employed as contract and casual staff with no pension, no health cover, no jobs security, no collective bargaining rights, and sometimes the Worker is compelled to sign-off his freedom of association entitlement before or during employment. This is not only indecent work, but modern-day slavery."
He called on Employers and Management to respect the laws, particularly in matter relating to termination of employment. "We are not averse to the termination of employment of workers found wanting, provided due process is followed and adequate compensation is paid in line with the provisions of the Labour Laws, and the ILO Convention 158 on Termination of Employment already being applied by our courts as standards for decent work and labour best practices in addressing matters connected with termination of employment."
He also called for an urgent review of the provision of voluntarism contained in Section 12 (4) of the Trade Union Act Cap T14 (as amended), LFN, 2004.
He said the Sub-Section has been abused by many employers, and being use to threaten, persuade and dissuade workers from joining the Unions.
The ASSIBIFI President also called for urgent review and renewal of the ASSBIFI Sector Wide Collective Bargaining Agreement, which had been due since 2007.
According to him, All efforts to renew this Agreement had been frustrated by the Management and employers in the Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions.
We implore Managements and Employers, especially in the Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions to recognize and respect the Nigerian Constitution on freedom of Association, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 87 on Freedom of Association, the ILO Convention 98 on Collective Bargaining and ILO Convention 158 on Termination of Employment, and allow the workers to associate and allow workers freely join the Trade Union of their choice without victimization, intimidation and threats.
He said the theme for this years' commemoration "Young Workers Organizing for the Future" is very apt as it tends to address the existential succession challenges facing trade union in Nigeria and the world of work.
According to the ASSIBIFI President the future of work is no longer in the future, but it is here. " It is defined by Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitalization, automation, platform economy, Algorithm Management, outsourcing amongst other evolving workplace technologies."
"Trade Unionism must be sustained. We cannot confront the capitalist Employer in our individual capacities, togetherness is our strength. Our mantra in ASSBIFI is "together we bargain, divided we beg".
Comrade Fanimokun also called on the Federal Government to urgently implement policies to alleviate the sufferings of the worker, reduce the cost of food, transportation, health care, housing, education and provide adequate security.
According to him, a situation whereby the National Minimum wage cannot buy a bag of rice is absurd, a situation whereby the National Minimum wage cannot pay monthly house rent for an average family of six is absurd, a situation where the National Minimum wage cannot provide three square meals for an average Nigeria family of four for two weeks is nothing but slavery. Workers are not Slaves, we must be treated with the dignity that decent work reflects.
Picture of some of the dignitaries at the occasion.
"The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and other Regulatory Agencies should as a matter of policy mainstream decent work compliance as corporate governance requirement for Corporate Organizations.
"Employers and Managements should consider the payment of gratuity to deserving employees, in line with the recent government directive. Recalled that Employers in the Organized private sector swiftly withdrew and stopped the gratuity payment scheme following similar government directive. Note, that the withdrawal of gratuity payment was wrongful in the first instance, for gratuity simply means what it stands for, a handshake for service well rendered for a given length of time.
Our mantra in ASSBIFI is “together we bargain, divided we beg, Unity is our strength”. This resonates with a principle of the 1789 French Resolution that echoes the voice of the people, a people united, is the voice of God. It affirms that the strength of the vulnerable worker lies in collective power, influence and unity.
United we can change our story, united we can influence government policies, united we can ensure decent work. Unity is our strength, Decent Work is our right."
In his solidarity message at the occasion, Comrade Rufus Olusesan, National President, Precision, Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association (PERESSA)
said work must not just provide income, it must provide dignity.
"Unfortunately, under capitalism, workers who create the wealth benefit only crumbs as wages.
To this extent, the theme of this year's Decent Work Day "Young Workers Organizing for the Future " Is very timely and powerful.
While the theme is focused on young workers, it is a known fact they the future of work is for the young people. Today, globally, 67 million young people are unemployed. In Nigeria, the youth unemployment rate is one of the highest in the world. "
To Government: Invest in skills, not just certificates. Make the economy work for the young. Implement policies that create stable jobs, not just palliatives.
To Employers: Stop the casualization of young workers. A young worker on a 3-month contract renewed for 5 years is not a worker, he is an industrial slave being brutally exploited.
To Young Workers Themselves :
Organize and fight for today and your future! The only job security you have is in your solidarity. Join a trade union, speak up, learn new skills, and demand your seat at the table where decisions about your future are made.
The future will not be gifted to young workers; it must be fought for through sustainable struggle. The struggle for liberation for the working class should not be restricted to work place bread and butter demands alone, the struggle should also be political, in other words, geared towards changing the exploitative capitalist economy into socialist economy wherein the commanding heights of the economy are nationalized and placed under democratic control and management of workers".
"On this World Day for Decent Work, let us commit to building a future where our young people don't have to run away from Nigeria in often unsuccessful search for decent work - but can find decent work in Nigeria."
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