The Union of Commerce, Industry and Finance workers (UNICOF) has given a two week ultimatum to management of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to reinstate dismissed staff.
According to UNICOF the dismissed workers were sacked without recourse to proper lay down procedures and therefore must be recalled to work unconditionally. 13 members of UNICOF at ADB were sacked by the bank for concealing information about bounced cheques presented by clients which management said is contrary to the Bank of Ghana’s regulations. The bank also asserted that the workers move breached the Collective Bargaining Agreement dated January 2014 to December 2015.
10 out of the 13 fired workers have filed a suit at an Accra High Court challenging their dismissal from the bank. But speaking at a press conference today the Deputy General Secretary of UNICOF John Amegashie warned that refusal by the management of ADB to reinstate the workers could worsen the already charged industrial atmosphere in the country.
“In the light of all these act of provocation intended to undermine, weaken disband the union in ADB, the victimization exhibited by management, we are tempted to respond in strong but diplomatic manner and we will not be wrong if we did just that. We believe that the posture taken by the managing director is unfortunate and redirected. Under this circumstance we demand that all our members who were unjustifiable sacked be recalled and reinstated unconditionally.”
We also ask TUC and Ghana employers association to employ their leadership role to ensure that individuals nor group of people are not permitted to trample on the legitimate right of working people of our dear nation as such happening could exacerbate the already charged industrial atmosphere in the country.’ Deputy General Secretary of UNICOF John Amegashie said.
By: Norvan Acquah – Hayford
