Ex-staff of UT, Capital banks drag GCB to CHRAJ

The former workers of the two banks are seeking amongst 28 reliefs, compensation from GCB for wrongfully terminating their appointments.
“We are seeking an order directed at GCB Bank to rectify, compensate and pacify all the UT and Capital Bank employees whose rights have been trampled upon in respect of all breaches and violent violations outlined in this affidavit,” the workers stated though their legal counsel and labour consultant, Mr Seth Abloso.
According to Mr Abloso, it had become necessary to petition the Commission because the Bank had ignored all efforts to have the grievances of the affected workers addressed directly between the parties, “to the extent of ignoring an invitation on the subject from the Chief Labour Officer of the Labour Department.”
“My clients’ experience after the purchase and Assumption has been disappointingly characterized by intimidation and general abuse of workers,’ including the rights of nursing and working mothers,” Mr Abloso submitted

“Our petition is that you have the abuses detailed in the accompanying affidavit duly addressed, including consideration for the un-conditional re-instatement of all the affected workers,” he submitted to the CHRAJ Commissioner. 
The petition was dated May 29, 2019 and addressed to the Commissioner of CHRAJ. 
The affidavit in support of the petition alleged that the Receiver for UT and Capital Banks sought to terminate their employment with the erstwhile banks when they were already employees of those banks. 
“Some of the UT, Capital Bank workers were not absorbed into GCB Bank and were issued with letters terminating their appointments without reason,” the affidavit said. 
On August 14, 2017, GCB Bank took over the operations of UT and Capital Banks in a Purchase and Assumption Agreement duly approved by the Bask of Ghana (BoG). 
By the arrangement, GCB Bank assumed responsibility for staff of UT and Capital Banks, the branches of the banks as well as customers whose bank accounts were transferred to GCB Bank. 
Spokesperson for the affected workers, and also a victim of the UT, Capital Bank saga, Mr Raymond Addai Danquah told Business Finder he was hopeful of the workers getting justice on their side from the CHRAJ. 
“The manner of treatment the workers, especially the nursing mothers have had to go through is unthinkable and the faster this matter is resolved the better it will be for them and all stakeholders,” he said.
Labour and Human Resource expert, Mr Senyo Adjabeng described as interesting how the Commission would handle the matter, noting that the “issues relating to abuse of human rights could be handled by the CHRAJ but the question of re-instatement may be a tall order for the Commission.”