adminThe Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers Union (Zibawu) on Monday held demonstrations at Stanbic Bank after the financial institution rejected workers’ demands for a salary increase.
Protracted negotiations for a 10 percent salary rise, $200 per term per child in school fees support, 100 percent medical aid cover and at least $3 for lunch meals, hit a brick wall.
Zibawu president Farai Katsande accused the bank’s management of having a colonial hangover and treating workers as slaves.
“We are saying with a big voice, no to exploitation at Stanbic Bank,” he said.
Mr Katsande said the demands by the workers were reasonable given that their current salaries fell below the poverty datum line, estimated at $511.
The lowest paid worker in the sector earns a gross salary of $627 but falls bellows $500 after statutory dues are deducted.
Mr Katsande said the trade union would not hesitate to hold more demonstrations against banking sector employers who are failing to improve the welfare of their staff.
He said workers deserved to be fairly compensated for the hard work they put in.
Zibawu general secretary Peter Mutasa said it was surprising that a bank which was posting huge profits would fail to improve its workers welfare.
“At $18 million profit in 2013, workers also deserve fair wages,” he said.
Scores of demonstrators camped at Stanbic Bank, Samora Machel Avenue branch where they sang and danced for over an hour, denouncing the bank management and its alleged ill treatment of workers.
With riot police on guard in case of disturbances, business however, went on as usual at the bank.
The demonstrators held placards, some of which read “Stanbic Bank — forward with exploitation”, “Stanbic Bank — From Johannesburg with exploitation.”
No comment could be obtained from Stanbic. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter