Despite the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), some banks in Lagos State have refused to join the industrial action.
The strike began on Monday and was called in response to the Federal Government’s failure to meet the unions’ minimum wage demands.
Our correspondent observed that banks in Ogba Aguda, Ikeja, and Ojodu Berger were all open for business, with workers instructed to dress casually and resume work.
The bank was open at the Zenith Bank branch in Aguda, but no activities occurred due to network issues.
Similarly, the GTbank branch at Computer Village, Ikeja, was operational, with activities ongoing.
The indefinite strike was initiated after the government failed to meet the union’s demands for a new national minimum wage.
The industrial action followed a series of unsuccessful negotiations involving the NLC, TUC, and government representatives.
On May 28, labour representatives walked out of the Tripartite Committee meeting on minimum wage after the government increased its offer from N57,000 to N60,000.
The government and the organized Private Sector had initially proposed ₦48,000, then ₦54,000, and finally ₦57,000, all of which were rejected by labour.
On the other hand, Labour proposed a new minimum wage of ₦615,000, later reducing it to ₦497,000 and then ₦494,000 to reflect the rising cost of living.
The strike has been met with mixed reactions, with some banks choosing to defy the labour unions and remain open. This move has sparked concerns about the potential impact on the economy and the welfare of workers.