Customers at a KCB banking hall. file photo | nmg
A week-long strike has hit operations at KCB’s South Sudan business.
Workers are demanding higher pay but talks with management have stalled.
“KCB
South Sudan makes reference to a labour dispute and subsequent strike
action by a section of staff since last week. This has disrupted
business operations in some of the branches in a challenging economic
and operating environment,” said the bank in a statement in response to
the Business Daily’s questions.
“We wish to
assure our customers that KCB South Sudan is operational and their funds
are safe,” the lender whose parent firm is KCB Group added.
The bank said talks were ongoing to unlock the stalemate.
“We
continue to engage with our staff and the National Staff Association on
KCB South Sudan’s business performance while taking into account the
tough economic environment,” said the statement. “…we are optimistic
that this issue will be resolved in a realistic, fair and workable
manner.”
But
Paul Ajok, the chairman of the association, told South Sudan media that
the workers had resolved to continue with the strike since talks with
management had been fruitless.
“We are still on strike,
we had a big assembly today and the strike is still ongoing. We have
not agreed on anything,” Mr Ajok was quoted as saying.
He
said that 160 staff were on strike. This is the second strike in two
years by staff demanding an increase of pay. The employees also demanded
an increase in salaries in February 2016.
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