Barclays Bank Zambia PLC has awarded its unionized staff a 15 percent salary increment translating into K600,000 across the board effective 1st April 2009.
Speaking during the signing of the Collective Agreement with Zambia Union of Financial Institutions and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW), Acting Barclays Bank Managing Director (MD) Patrick Wanjelani said the current economic meltdown has brought about many challenges to the banking sector.
Mr.Wanjelani said these challenges have also affected many negotiating programmes aimed at improving working conditions and salaries for employees.
He however, noted that despite these challenges there is no need for employers to relent as employers continue to play an important role towards increased production in any sector.
He noted that it is for this reason that workers should always be regarded as important resources to the company’s production hence the need to look after their interest well.
Mr. Wanjalani disclosed that regardless of the global economic melt down, Barclays bank remains committed to improve the conditions of staff amid difficult times.
The MD further thanked the workers and the negotiating team for the sober and mature manner in which they engaged management during the negotiations.
Mr. Wanjelani pointed out that this is a clear indication that trade unions and management are willing and able to work closely together in improving the conditions of workers in the country.
He has however, urged employees to work hard and maintain the partnership that is exiting between the two parties.
And speaking earlier, (ZUFIAW) General Secretary Joyce Nonde Simukoko said the banking sector is one of the sectors that should assist government in its economic growth.
Mrs. Simukoko explained that credible investors should be more interested in contributing to the development of the country their operating from by improving their working conditions for their staff.
She said good working conditions for employees can help motivate staff therefore increase productivity.
She expressed happiness that the collective barging agreement between ZUFIAW and Barclay’s management went well without disturbing workers.
ZANIS
These are guenuine institution, they know how people are suffering, well done guys you are real, than some companies who are always lying about credit crunch even if they are not affected, viva barclays.
This the way forward!! Invest in the people!!
infat these are service oriented institutions so about manufacturers ?
Chadiba pa Zambia, Standard Bank, Civil Servants and now Baclays its good sign but I do not mean RB is working hard no.
On “Mr. Wanjalani disclosed that regardless of the global economic melt down, Barclays bank remains committed to improve the conditions of staff amid difficult times. The MD further thanked the workers and the negotiating team for the sober and mature manner in which they engaged management during the negotiations.” This is a great move and I hope GRZ is noting how it must deal with its workers although there is a global credit crunch.
Sober minds do not need to use excuses, but do what is necessary to be done.
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Prevention is better than cure.
My auntie works for Zambian Breweries and she told me they received a similar increase last month after five hours negotiation! I guess directors had sipped something and thought five hours was five months!
What is the minimium wage for the bankers? Will this K6000,000 add any value in terms of expenditure on essential goods plus travelling expenses to and fro work not forgetting leisure?
Well done. Someone should tell ZAIN Management to give their staff an increment as well. Last year they got a sorry excuse of an increment. This year, they have been denied an increment. That company will collapse if they don’t make an effort to improve staff’s working conditions.