Coronavirus: Access bank to lay off 75% of its workers over COVID-19

Access bank is planning to cut staff salaries and lay off the majority of its staff as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

This is according to a viral video in which the company’s CEO, Herbert Wigwe can be seen addressing the staff. The reductions are expected to start from the month of May unless business conditions improve.

Access Bank MD. smh. pic.twitter.com/xsBjGRDDPm

— Poju (@pojugreat) April 30, 2020

Most of the workers who will lose their jobs are the outsourced staff, Wigwe said in the video, as business operations may not resume until December. In addition to this, other staff, including Wigwe will see a cut in their salaries.

After this news was shared on social media, Nigerians kicked and shared their opinions, especially because of the company’s recent decisions.

At the start of the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, Access bank donated one billion Naira to the government to help fight the virus. Before that, the company had a high profile merger with one of Nigeria’s top banks, Diamond bank.

At the end of 2019, Access bank had over six thousand members of staff in Nigeria. Nigerians have now aired their thoughts on the situation, slamming the bank for giving out one billion Naira to the government without making provisions for their staff.

Others rationalized that it is the right decision to make seeing as the ongoing pandemic is crippling economies and businesses.

See some of the reactions below:

Access Bank donated 1 billion to FG.
In the name of fighting Covid19.

Then this month, they cut salaries of employees. In the name of hard times.

Donate money to people that didn’t ask.
Starve people who work for you.

What is the colour of this kind of insensitive wickedness?

— OurFaveOnlineDoc ?? ?? (@OurFavOnlineDoc) April 30, 2020

https://twitter.com/_Adadioramma/status/1256134551790895104?s=20

Access bank : We are donating one billion to fight corona

Staffs: that’s why I like working with access bank

Access bank: We are sha taking it from your salary

Staffs : ?? pic.twitter.com/XIEzo7dhAN

— Benjamin Gold (@Benjamingold20) May 1, 2020

Unpopular opinion

ACCESS BANK’s donation has absolutely nothing to do with how they chose to manage their costs

1. It’s a donation, positive on tax
2. The donation is one of enlightened self interest (Access bank services the society that is under the Covid threat)

Let’s rest

— Tunji Andrews (@TunjiAndrews) May 1, 2020

I don’t understand why people are dragging Access Bank.

In case you guys don’t know, it is not only happening in Nigeria but globally. Air Canada will lay off 5,100 members of its cabin crew.

So will you drag Air Canada too??

— Pamilerin Adegoke (@Pamilerin) May 1, 2020

Why are people angry with Access Bank? Even without Covid, it was coming.

After buying Diamond, there was no way 2 Access branches would be on one street all over the country?

Its always cute watching folks go gaga about people's business when they'd do the same in their shoes.

— Ikenna Nzimora (@ronaldnzimora) May 1, 2020