Bank workers petition RBZ over Covid19 safety measures on Money Transfer Agents employees

Staff Writer

BANK workers have petitioned Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) over the directive to open Money Transfer Agents (MTAs) without putting in place adequate Covid19 protection measures.

Through their representative body, Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers Union (ZIBAWU) president ,Peter Mutasa criticised RBZ for failure to consult workers upon issuance of the directive.

“We do not see measures put in place to ensure all banks adhere to the minimum safety and health standards.This is critical not just for the health staff but clients and the nation,” Mutasa said.

ZIBAWU urged RBZ to make sure that banking halls are you overstaffed and only workers enough to man the money transfer aspects are at work.

The workers also demanded safe and reliable transportation of the employees manning MTAs including fuel allowances for those using their vehicles.

“Workers must also be provided with adequate personal protective clothing and equipment such as masks and gloves.The working environment must be sanitised to ensure safety,” the workers said in their petition.

ZIBAWU also demanded reasonable life assurance cover, Covid19 counseling for bank workers and their families as well as regular testing of the disease.

” It is our belief that these are issues the central bank ought to have consulted on and put in place before asking banks to open.Without these guarantees the central bank will be putting the lives of bank workers at risk,” added Mutasa.