By Zweli Martin Dlamini

Mvuselelo Fakudze,the Standard Bank Chief Executive convened a press conference on Wednesday where he exposed his dictatorship tendencies and,unwillingness to genuinely negotiate with striking workers in terms of the collective bargaining principles.

The Chief Executive opted to communicate the 5.5% offer publicly as if the offer “is new” just to divide the workers who approached the negotiation table collectively and,under their union,being the Swaziland Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers(SUFIAW).

Well,I was analyzing Fakudze’s leadership style as he addressed the media and came to the conclusion that,he is a corporate leader who imposes decision instead of negotiating,he is actually a violator of workers rights and deserve to be monitored or exposed.

It should be noted that,there are factors that resulted to the bank workers demanding 7.5% Cost of Living Adjustment(COLA) and this include inflation and as a banker,Mvuselelo Fakudze is well versed with such issues,it’s not like the 7.5% demanded by the workers came from the air.

But despite the economic challenges,the workers reviewed their demand down to 6.5% hoping that,the employer will move from 5.5% to the 6.5% or at least 6%, this is normal during negotiations.

But the Standard Bank Chief Executive opted to first unleashed police officers on the striking workers,their sympathizers and subsequently tabled the very same 5.5%, he boastfully said,the offer “is valid until Friday morning”.

This dictatorship tendency adopted by Fakudze if allowed,will be repeated by other employers,Standard Bank must at least table a 6% offer to demonstrate appreciation with regards to the workers commitment to reasonably negotiate.

The workers reduced their offer from 7.5% to 6.5% and the Standard Bank Chief Executive must table a better offer of least 6.5% or 6%,negotiations are guided by principles.

Standard Bank workers are professionals and equal partners that drive the bank’s business including the country’s economy.

We have an interest to see this strike action coming to an end as it affects clients and the economy and therefore,the Chief Executive must genuinely negotiate instead of imposing decisions,a Cost of Living Adjustment(COLA) is not a favour or privilege provided by the employer to employees but,a legal obligation.