Bank Workers Lay Off Conditions For Financial Institutions to Reopen for Public

Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers Union (ZIBAWU) yesterday laid off conditions to ensure labourers are secure in response to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) directive for financial institutions to open three days a week.

The union, in a letter, accused the RBZ of not consulting the workers before giving the directive that was made in a follow up to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, that the Central bank should put measures for residents to get money from the diaspora.

“This is a matter that involves the health and safety of workers and their families. Workers have a legitimate expectation to be consulted before such decisions that have huge impact on them and their families are implemented,” ZIBAWU General Secretary Peter Mutasa says in the letter.

“From your directive, we do not see the measures put in place to ensure that all banks maintain minimum safety and health standards. This is critical not just for the health of staff, but client and the nation.”

The workers offered the following conditions.

The secretary says branches that will be opening should be manned by a few staff members sufficient to process remittances only.

“Staff members must be provided with appropriate private transport or fuel for those with own vehicles so that they avoid public transport,” he says.

“Workers must be provided with sufficient and appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment such as masks, gloves, sanitisers etc. There must also be regular and proper cleaning of all opening workplaces.”

Banks should arrange facilities for regular testing and monitoring and assurance of private medical care for the workers and their families in case of infections according to Mutasa.

“The few employees selected to work should have reasonable life assurance cover paid for by banks. It is also our suggestion that they be given a risk allowance,” he went on.

“Banks should provide, relevant, timely and educative information to every staff member and their families on COVID-19 using suitable and accessible channels.”

“Banks should engage mental health specialists for staff members and their families who maybe in need.”