Coronavirus: CBN orders banks not to lay off workers

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed banks not to lay off staff amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Although speculations about the impending sack of workers in the banking sector have been on since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Access Bank Plc will was the first to announce its plan to downsize, or in the alternative slash its workers’ salaries.

The group managing director of the bank, Herbert Wigwe, announced during a video conference with the bank’s staff that the management of the bank plans to offload about 75 per cent of its workforce.

Criticism has tailed the bank’s decision with the Nigeria Labour Congress threatening to mobilise its members to fight such plans.

But, apparently to forestall a major crisis in the country, even as the country’s economy is struggling to find its footing as the economic impact of the coronavirus bites harder, the CBN, through its Bankers’ Committee, on Sunday, ordered the immediate suspension of such plans.

The CBN spokesperson, Isaac Okoroafor, who signed the statement, said the order was given at the end of a special meeting of the Bankers’ Committee held on May 2 to further review the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Nigerian banking industry.

– Premium Times