-With Puzzle Of Alleged Stranded US$245k FIB’s Employees Severance Pay
Report gathered has revealed that employees of the First International Bank (FIB) are craving for their severance pay from their former employer (FIB) amounting to about US$245,000 allegedly in the custody of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) since 2016 after FIB was bought by GN Bank.
According to the report while the full amount of the severance pay was honored by the buying bank and the services of some of the former employees were retained by GN Bank, all those affected complained of their efforts to get their just and hard earned money from the CBL is becoming frustrating.
Based on the tedious and hectic parading without any fruitful result, some of the affected workers on January 8, 2019 engaged a local phone-in talk show host in Monrovia with what they referred to as legitimate documents supporting their claim.
During the phone show, some callers expressed dismay our what they called CBL’s unjust treatment meted out against people who have worked for their money and were being dilled up and down to get their own money something they described as zigzag ‘iron fist’ posture on the part of CBL.
The report also pointed out that FIB before being bought, operated both an insurance firm and the banking sector, but while employees of the insurance segment have received the severance pay not only in full but long since, those from the banking section is yet to receive theirs.
However, CBL refuting the workers’ claim in a release dated January 9, 2019 headlined: CBL Never Received Money From GN Bank For Payment Of Severance For Former Staff Of FIB Bank says CBL categorically refutes allegation made on the Costa Show (102.7 FM) of 8th and 9th January 2019 that it received money to make severance payments as former staff of FIB Bank when it was taken by GN Bank in 2016.
At the time when the reorganization of FIBank commenced, provision of its assets and balances were transferred to the GN Bank. This intervention by the Central Bank of Liberia was to ensure the smooth transition of operations of the FIBank which were taken over by GN Bank, noted the release.
Meanwhile, the matter involving the former FIBank workers is currently at the Labor Ministry for hearing against the FIBank/CBL based on a complaint filed by the former FIBank workers. Since the matter is presently before the Ministry of Labor for adjudication, CBL cannot speak to the merits and demerits of the matter, the release maintained.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.
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