Business operations of Polaris Bank yesterday was disrupted Tuesday as contract employees demanded salary increases, better welfare package and threatening to embark on strike if there demands were not met.
The protest, which went viral across social media platforms on Tuesday was said to have been triggered when the bank decided to grant a substantial salary increase of 100 percent to full-time employees due to inflation and rising fuel prices.
In the trending video, the Polaris Bank contract staff expressed their frustration over the glaring disparity and discrimination in compensation and the lack of growth opportunities within the organisation.
BRANDPOWER reports that an affected staff who had remained in the company as a casual staff for 11 years sent a mail on behalf of his colleagues t0 the management of the bank.
They argued that despite performing the same duties as their full-time counterparts, they have continued to receive insufficient compensation.
Considering the socio-economic challenges they were also faced with, they demanded a salary increase of 100 percent, in line with the raise given to full-time staff in recognition of their contributions and dedication to the bank.
The Guardian however, reports that, when asked about his take on disruption of activities, the National President of the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE), Anthony Abakpa, kicked against the move, describing the act as unprofessional.
He said they should have called the attention of the union to engage the lender constructively. He said: “That is not the way to go. The law does not support that idea, they erred on their part by going on a rampage. We are already talking with the bank to find out what steps they will take given the hardship on the ground. What the workers have done is not professional because there are better ways to approach it rather than taking laws into their hands. It is not healthy.
“At the point of entry, everybody signed a code of conduct and if violated, it will not be too healthy, except if we intervene quickly. We are trying to pacify the bank to put a human face to it and see how they can intervene. The increment was done yesterday (Monday) and those people who were not affected were saying why should it be for only full staff.”
BRANDPOWER learnt that part of the contract staff’s discontent lies the unequal treatment in remuneration. Despite performing the same duties as their full-time counterparts, contract staff members continue to receive insufficient compensation. Demanding a salary increase of 100%, in line with the raise given to full-time staff, they argue for recognition of their contributions and dedication to the bank.
The affected staff also complain about the absence of promotion prospects for contract staff. It was alleged that some contract employees have served in their positions for a staggering 13 years without any potential for career advancement. This lack of professional growth fosters an atmosphere of frustration and stagnation, leading to low morale among the contract workforce.
BRANDPOWER also learnt that the third demand on the contract staff’s list is inclusion in the profit sharing scheme. At present, only full-time employees have access to the benefits of profit sharing, leaving contract staff excluded from the rewards of their collective efforts. In seeking fairness and recognition for their integral role in the bank’s success, contract staff are asserting their right to be part of the profit-sharing scheme.
There has been no official reaction from Polaris Bank as of press time.
See the memo written by affected staff:
