The proactive Shareholder Association of Nigeria (PRAN) has applauded the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive to banks to rationalise staff salaries saying it would help reduce unnecessary expenses.

National coordinator at the association, Taiwo Aderinde said this last week in Lagos while responding to questions from media representative. He warned that there is no need for downsising in the banking sub-sector, saying that staff salaries should be at reasonably level. According to him, salaries of most bank executive are outrageous and considering the present economic and financial crisis, there is need to review their salaries so as to avoid liquidity problem and to equally project healthy balance sheets.”

He disclosed that since the coming of the financial crisis, organisations and individuals have cut down their expenses and that the issue of banks reviewing staff salaries should not be overemphasized because it is a necessary option, speaking further he maintained that the CBN governor has a genuine intention for the common people. He is a revolutionary who is fighting a war that I know would benefit the market. My prayer is that he does not derail because he has our backing, “ he added.

The CBN governor does not have a northern agenda, noting that his reform polices are for the good of the economy and the nation at large Taiwo said. He however pleaded that the CBN governor should be supported by all stakeholder to enjoy a sound and safe banking institution.

It would be recalled that CBN in its recent memo to the managing directors and Chief executive offices of the embattled banks, directed among other things to reduce executive and other staff emoluments by at least 30 per- cent and submit an action plan for branch and staff rationalisation (reduction) in order to utilise some hidden economics of scale in the bank’s operation.

This directives is said to have given impetus to new policies that penciled down thousands of workers for retrenchment.

Industry sources have, however expressed concerns that while government all over the world work hard to encourage employment and are measured by the number of jobs created, the current reforms in the Nigerian banking industry encourage chief executives to sack workers with impunity.

Elijah Segun, general secretary NUBIFE, described as unfortunate the reform process that could lead to mass sack in banks. According to him, “this has been our predicament in the banking industry. Workers are usually at the receiving end of any reform. No matter the nature of any reform, at the end of the day, you will discover that the workers are the victims. When they recapitalized, we were at the receiving end. They are now sanitising, and we are also at the receiving end, despite the fact that we are not privy in the perpetration of the so-called atrocity in the industry so it is very unfortunate that it is happening this way.

Jarus Erhemosele, secretary general ASSBIF while responding also pleaded with the CBN governor to tread the path of caution in his management’s action in the banks. 

At the last count, at least 1,000 workers within the rank of banking officers and above in two banks (one cleared as healthy and the other rescued) alone were either sacked or asked to resign in the last two weeks.

This figure excludes the thousands reportedly penciled down for sack in the other 22 healthy and troubled banks still grappling with economic crisis. Meanwhile the federal government had reportedly asked Sanusi Lamido CBN Governor to intervene and put an end to arbitrary retrenchments in most of the banks, especially the eight rescued ones.