Business

Banks in Lagos shun union’s directive to join NLC strike

Published

1 year ago

September 5, 2023 4:44 pm

BodexNG

Banks in Lagos have ignored the directive of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) to join the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in its two-day strike action.

In a statement dated September 2, 2023, the NUBEFIE had directed all members to stay off duty during the two-day strike slated to begin on Tuesday, September 5.

On September 1, the NLC announced plans to embark on a nationwide strike to protest the hike in petrol pump price, and electricity tariff, alongside other issues; and accused the federal government of abandoning negotiations.

The congress also said the government had failed to implement some of the resolutions reached at previous meetings.

On Tuesday, newsmen observed that some banks were open for normal business operations, following visits to several branches in Lagos to ascertain the level of compliance with the directive.

Our reporters, who monitored the event, said banks in the Alimosho, Ikorodu, and Agege areas of Lagos were fully open to customers.

Branches of Keystone Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Union Bank, and First Bank, located in the Ogba axis of the state, were also operating at the time of the visit.

Speaking under anonymity, a Zenith Bank staff said workers did not get a directive from the management to stay at home.

“Joining the strike is strictly based on individual banks deciding to join or not. For us, the board never told us not to resume work on any of the days,” the bank official said.

Similarly, another staff from Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) said members of the union could choose whether or not to join the strike.

“If we join the strike, the economy would feel the impact. Also, the decision of the union is not affected. We can choose whether or not to join the strike,” the GTB staff said.

In a mail seen by newsmen, the management of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) asked its workers to be safety cautious while commuting to work.

The bank also urged “staff members to ensure the continued functionality of our ATMs and all electronic channels throughout the strike”.

“Your personal safety is of the utmost importance to us. We kindly request that all employees exercise caution while commuting to work. This includes being vigilant, scanning your surroundings, and leaving for work with some extra time in hand to accommodate any potential disruptions,” the mail reads.

“To maintain efficiency, we encourage all staff members to work smartly and complete their tasks promptly to avoid unnecessary overtime during this period.

“We are committed to the safety of our staff and customers. Therefore, our branches have been instructed to maintain an enhanced security presence to promptly respond to any potential disruptions or security threats that may arise during the strike.”

Speaking on the noncompliance by some banks on Tuesday, Abakpa Anthony, president of NUBIFIE, said those not following the directives are doing so at their own risk.

“Yes, there are some banks that are not under the union but when trouble arises they run to the union. They know that this is not right but they’ve chosen to do what they want,” he said.

Speaking further on banks that ought to be in solidarity with union, Anthony said “newly licenced banks such as Globus Bank and Lotus Bank are major members and they know what ought to be done”.

Business

Ghana’s inflation rises to 23.8% — highest in eight months

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2025 2:34 pm

BodexNG

Ghana’s consumer inflation rate rose for the fourth consecutive month to 23.8 percent in December 2024.

Samuel Kobina Annim, government statistician at the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), announced the figure to journalists in Accra on Wednesday.

Ghana’s inflation rate started rising in September last year, when it rose to 21.5 percent, then climbed further to 22.1 percent in October and 23 percent in November.

Annim said the inflation rate recorded at the end of last year was the highest in eight months.

“The rate of inflation… is the third highest in the last 13 months and highest in the last eight months,” Annim said.

Also, food inflation saw a significant jump, rising from 25.9 percent in November to 27.8 percent in December.

Annim attributed the increase to the contributions from specific food items, such as yams, showing drastic year-on-year price hikes of 63.3 percent.

He also highlighted the need for a dual approach to tackling inflation, addressing both monetary and real-sector issues.

“We do emphasise that there are two perspectives in addressing inflation. One is the monetary side… and the other is the real side, with what we’ve seen with food inflation, more particularly the food that we consume, that are locally produced,” he added.

Annim urged policymakers to focus on production, value chains, transportation, warehousing, and reducing post-harvest losses to stabilise food prices.

“Policymakers put in diverse interventions, rather than focusing on, let’s say, only exchange rate or focusing on just some selected items that do not cover the variety of food items that influence food prices,” he said.

Business

Governor Sanwo-olu signs N3.366trn 2025 budget

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2025 1:58 pm

BodexNG

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, signed the 2025 appropriation bill into law.

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Gboyega Akosile, made this known in a post on his X handle.

He said the budget size is N3.366 trillion meant for the continuation of the great works of the Sanwo-Olu administration.

Business

Italy extends work visa for skilled workers for 2025

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2025 11:18 am

BodexNG

Italy is taking steps to address its significant shortage of skilled workers by keeping its Work Visa for Highly Qualified Workers program open for 2025.

The country, which is known for its rich culture, food, and history, has faced increasing demand in sectors such as IT, healthcare, and green energy.

These industries are crucial to Italy’s economic growth, and the government is working to meet these demands by attracting foreign talent.

Italy is making considerable efforts to improve its labour market by introducing a series of policy changes to simplify the visa application process, DAAD Scholarship reports. The country’s Work Visa program is designed to bridge the gap between the available talent and the growing need for highly skilled workers.

Italy’s work visa aims to address skill shortages

The Work Visa for Highly Qualified Workers aims to address the skill shortages in key sectors, including information and communication technology (ICT), healthcare, and renewable energy. By opening its doors to foreign professionals, Italy hopes to fill critical positions that are difficult to staff with local workers.

This program is expected to boost the economy by bringing in skilled professionals who can contribute to sectors vital to Italy’s long-term economic stability.

The visa allows skilled workers to live and work in Italy while helping the country meet its industrial needs. In 2025, the visa is seen as a way to attract experts from around the world who can fill gaps in sectors where there is a high demand for specialized knowledge and experience.

Key changes to Italy’s work visa policies for 2025

Significant changes have been made to the Italian Work Visa policies to streamline the application process and ensure faster processing times. One of the major updates is the increase in quotas for non-EU workers.

Last year, the Italian government raised the quota for work permits from 151,000 to 165,000. This adjustment reflects the increasing need for foreign workers across multiple sectors.
Another notable change is the introduction of digital processes to simplify the visa application. By March 2024, the Italian government implemented digital contracts and the use of certified email (PEC), which have reduced the need for in-person visits to immigration offices.
In July 2024, Italy also revised its EU Blue Card requirements, lowering the minimum work contract duration from 12 months to six months. Additionally, the salary threshold was adjusted to fall between 1 and 1.6 times the average gross salary in Italy.

The introduction of sector-specific permits for healthcare roles also occurred in October 2024. An additional 10,000 permits were introduced for family and social healthcare assistance positions to meet the growing demand in the healthcare sector.

Streamlined application process for 2025 work visa

The new application process for the Work Visa for Highly Qualified Workers in 2025 is designed to be faster and more accessible. The digital system allows employers to pre-fill applications for their workers, saving time and reducing paperwork.

The application process is simplified, with designated “click days” for submission, including February 5th, 7th, and 12th, 2025, depending on the applicant’s category, reports inform.

Once an application is submitted, both the employer and the applicant will be notified of the decision within a specified timeframe. Digital contracts and integration agreements also reduce the need for physical paperwork, further speeding up the process.

High-demand sectors for Italy’s work visa program

The Italian Work Visa for Highly Qualified Workers targets skilled professionals in several key sectors. These include:

ICT: Software developers, data analysts, AI specialists, and cybersecurity experts are highly sought after.
Healthcare: Nurses, physiotherapists, caregivers, and healthcare assistants are in demand.
Green Energy: Engineers focused on renewable energy are needed to help Italy meet sustainability goals.
Construction: Skilled laborers, engineers, and project managers are sought to address Italy’s infrastructure needs.
Hospitality: Chefs, hotel managers, and tourism professionals are needed to support Italy’s vibrant tourism industry.

Where to find jobs with visa sponsorship in Italy

For those looking to apply for the Work Visa for Highly Qualified Workers, several job portals can help candidates find employment in Italy. Some popular websites where job seekers can find roles with visa sponsorship include:

The program offers a valuable opportunity for professionals in high-demand sectors to contribute to Italy’s economy and enjoy living in one of Europe’s most attractive countries.

Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others