Aug 23, 2017
In the quest to protect the interest of workers of the defunct Capital and UT banks, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations this morning held a crunch meeting with the stakeholders for clarity on the modalities for the reintegration of the workers and the laying off of others.
Chaired by the Labour Minister, Mr. Ignatious Baffour Awuah, the meeting was attended by officials of Bank of Ghana, GCB Bank, the Union of Industry Commerce & Finance Workers (UNICOF) and members of the Tripartite Committee constituting of the Trade Union Congress and the Ghana Employers Association.
It was held behind doors but a source at the meeting said the Minister cautioned against arrangements that would adversely affect the workers of the defunct banks.
The central bank a fortnight ago revoked the licenses of Capital and UT banks after describing them insolvent.
To protect the investment of clients, GCB Bank was granted the right to take over the assets and liabilities of the two banks, but the action created uncertainty among the workers of the two banks.
Subsequently all the 990 workers, from the two banks were placed on six-month probation for an assessment of their skills as part of a right-sizing exercise. GCB bank says it would have to lay-off some of the workers because it cannot retain all of them.
Amidst the uncertainty, there are concerns about the fate of those who would be affected by the layoff, with some calling on them to engage labour experts to help them to negotiate their severance package.
Samuel Longman-Attakumah, Chief Director at the Labour Ministry told reporters that the meeting was being held to ensure fairness and transparency regarding the impending laying off of some of the workers of the affected banks.
He said the Ministry was keen in ensuring that the labour laws were followed in the takeover and staff rationalization exercised so that no worker is short changed.
“We needed to engage all the stakeholders to ensure that the interest of the workers is very much protected,” he said.
By Nii Adotey Pappoe/adrdaily.com
