MBABANE: “We are being threatened by the Management for leaking information to the Swaziland News but don’t worry, you will get any information you need”.
These are the sentiments of some of the First National Bank(FNB) workers when speaking to this journalist on Friday evening, the employees are preparing to engage in a strike action next week on the 20th October 2023, they are demanding an 8.5% salary increment while the employer is offering 5.85%.
“It’s our first time to have a voice, other newspapers are not covering our grievances, only the Observer writes but nakhona they cover only the side of our employer”, said one of the employees.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland News, Jabu Shiba, the Swaziland Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers Union(SUFIAWU) Secretary General(SG) confirmed that, there would be a strike action by FNB employees as negotiations were not successful.
“We can confirm that there would be a strike action to commence on the 20th October 2023, tinkhulumo tehlulekile lokusho kutsi mhlaka twenty(20) kucala umsebenti Nkhosi”, said the SUFIAWU Secretary General.
But in the email seen by this Swaziland News, Futhie Magagula, the FNB Eswatini Manager Employee Relations stated categorically clear that, the bank was committed to finding a resolution without the need for the substantial cost to both affected employees and the Bank that, disruption and avoidable conflict create.
“The Bank is committed to finding resolution without the need for the substantial cost to both affected employees and the Bank that disruption and avoidable conflict create. The pending matters will be resolved and will be resolved within reasonable and sustainable means, and it is the intention of the Bank that post the resolution of these matters, employee-employer engagement be sustained to mitigate misinformation and misunderstanding risk”, reads the email in part.
Reached for comments by this publication,Futhie Magagula, the FNB Manager Employees Relations said, the email was directed to Bank employees hence,she can’t comment.
“Good Day Nkhosi.We respect communications between the Bank and its employees and we would like to protect the integrity of internal conversations,” said the FNB Manager Employees Relations.
FNB Head Office.