Sacked drivers of Fidelity Bank are set for another round of protest at the company’s headquarters on Victoria Island, Lagos.
They are demanding payment of entitlements they claim was still pending, months after their disengagement.
DAILY POST recalls that in March, about 50 of them protested alleged withholding of their severance packages.
The workers, who carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, said the bank neglected them since they were retrenched in February.
One of them, Mr Samuel Ayuwa, said, ”Since Fidelity bank does not want us again, we want the management to pay our benefits”. ”Some of us have worked for more than five years. It is our right to get our money”
Another driver, Mr Bayo Adewale, said that dialogue between the management and the sacked drivers broke down because the management was not ready to pay the entitlements.
In his reaction to the fresh threat of protested, Fidelity Bank Plc denied that it sacked some of its drivers without adequate compensation.
A statement signed by its Divisional Head, Brand & Communications, Mr. Charles Aigbe, reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the planned picketing of Fidelity Bank over the alleged sacking of drivers without adequate compensation”.
“This allegation is untrue and was concocted to mislead the Advocate for People’s Human Rights and Justice in particular and the public in general.”
The bank explained that due to operational realignment and increased automation of its processes, there was a considerable reduction in the number of cars previously required for its business, leading to its having to return 15 drivers in the Abuja area to their employer; FSL Limited, after several engagements/sensitization and search for possible alternative placements.
The bank pointed out that even though it had no contractual obligations, it considered the good relationship with FSL and the number of years of service of the affected drivers and magnanimously decided to make ex-gratis payment to the drivers, a reasonable amount for each year of service provided to the bank.
“This payment, made in good faith is now being exploited by the drivers to make additional and unreasonable demands for more, with the threat to picket the bank and disrupt services to its teeming customers.”
”We urge relevant authorities, including the Nigerian Police Force to note this threat to the conduct of our lawful business, just as we urge the affected drivers to engage FSL Limited for whatever grievances they may have.”
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