By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MBABANE: Futhie Magagula, the First National Bank(FNB)Eswatini Manager Employees Relations has assured customers and all stakeholders that, negotiations with the employees over salary increment are ongoing.

Responding to this Swaziland News on Wednesday evening, subsequent to the filing of a CMAC report of dispute by the bank employees, the FNB Manager Employees Relations confirmed that, the bank received the report of dispute but, she assured customers and stakeholders that, there would be no material disruption in the midst of the salary review negotiations.

CMAC stands for the Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration Commission,a labour dispute resolution body established in terms of Section 62 of the Industrial Relations Act No. 1 of 2000(as amended).

“FNB assures all our stakeholders that none of the matters at table are complex, we expect settlement within a reasonable time, and that we shall be guided by lawful processes in all our actions and responses.In the event that negotiations are extended, FNB wishes to advise customers that we do not anticipate material disruption to business operations as our self service platforms, which now operate the majority of client transactions, shall remain available,” said the Bank Manager Employees Relations when responding to this publication.

On another note, documents in our possession alleges that, the report of dispute was filed by Jabu Shiba, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers Union(SUFIAWU), after the bank refused to increase salaries for employees despite consistent requests to negotiate.

The documents further suggest that, the report of dispute that was filed on Wednesday, comes subsequent to a letter written by the SUFIAWU Secretary General to Lobesutfu Nkambule, the First National Bank(FNB) Eswatini Head of Human Capital, the letter dated 22nd August 2023 was informing the bank with regards to a deadlock in the negotiations.

A deadlock in context of salary review negotiations,is defined as a situation where no evident progress towards a settlement is being made.

“We write to advise of the declaration of a deadlock between us on the matter of salary negotiations.This position is consequent upon the bank ignoring and neglecting the negotiations for unreasonable periods of time”, reads the letter in part signed by the Secretary General.

But Futhie Magagula, the Bank Manager Employees Relations told this publication that, to the best of their knowledge, negotiations were going-on smoothly adding that,the employees were within their rights to approach CMAC to facilitate the ongoing process of negotiations through mediation, and/or other dispute resolution mechanisms.

“We were of the understanding that negotiations were still to continue, but if the Union has made the decision to take the ongoing negotiations to CMAC, we welcome that and respect our employees' right to access the conciliation process in the event of a possible dispute. FNB does not have reason to doubt the commitment and loyalty of our employees, and we value their effort and contribution. The bank shall continue to stand by them in every manner within its mandate, including our commitment and adherence to the principles of fair pay,” said the Bank Manager.