Labour unions shut down banks in Benue

Social and business activities in Benue state were hampered on Friday, as the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) stationed their members across different commercial banks to halt bank operations and gather momentum for the industrial action organised by the unions.

The workers are protesting deductions of their salaries, non-payment of three years’ transport allowances, non-implementation of the full minimum wage by the state government, and non-implementation of 15 per cent and 2.5 per cent wage increase for pensioners in the state.

Many customers were stranded at various banks in Makurdi as a result of the action.

One customer, Mr. Joseph Nyitar, told NAN that he travelled from Gbajimba, a distant village, to withdraw his deposits and was stranded over the closure of the banks.

“I came all the way from Guma Local Government to withdraw money only to discover that the banks were all closed,” he said.

“You know the whole of Guma does not have any bank. Now I am stranded and confused; I don’t even know what to do now.”

Another customer who asked not to be named described the government’s decision to deduct staff salaries, which led to the strike, as “mere wickedness”.

Mr Simon Anchaver, the state NLC chairman, assured the workers that the unions will not relent in their efforts to force government to rescind the pay cuts.

He maintained that despite the nonchalance of the state government to the strike, the union would sustain it by making sure that even market men and women participate.

“Bankers in the state joined the strike today and we intend to close down every functional economic sector in the state to let the government know the seriousness of our stand,” Anchaver said.