Bank workers have bemoaned the erosion of their salaries and have, as a result, declared incapacitation. A letter dated 20 June 2019 and written by POSB workers to their management reveals the shocking state of affairs obtaining with bank employees.
Reports indicate that the problem has affected workers at most of the banks and there is a high likelihood of other banks following the POSB employees’ decision.
Below is the full text of the letter written by POSB employees.
We write to advise you of the dire situation that your workers are in. You are fully aware of the economic crisis we are in. Most of the employees are now unable to buy food enough for a week from their salaries let alone paying rent and rates risking the possibility of evictions.
The majority are failing not only to meet committed school fees payment plans for their children, but the situation is being further worsened by the top up requests in foreign currency. Other basic necessities are now beyond the reach of many.
In addition, the majority are no longer able to pay for transport to and from work. Those able are not able to buy lunch and in most days work without eating anything. The majority of the families of your workers are now living on one meal a day.
The situation is now unbearable. We, therefore, advise that from now POSB workers will report for duty as and when they have transport fares and or breakfast and lunch.
Alternatively, most of your workers will start sleeping and staying at the workplace from Mondays to Saturdays in order not to abscond from work.
We hope you find this in order. Please note that this is not collective job action but a measured response to the challenges your workers are facing.
