Ecobank breathes fire over alleged mistreatment of local employees

By Charles Lotara
In its 56th edition, The City Review reported that Ecobank Group scooped a prestigious prize as Africa’s Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility in the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2020.
But in South Sudan, this achievement rung somewhat hollow after the bank came under fire for allegedly mistreating and suspending local employees under the guise of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The bank’s ethical conduct also came under scrutiny after the operation manager forced about seven nationals, including his spouse to resign.
Ecobank in a statement said the institution upholds a culture that values and respects all employees and stakeholders adding that investigations into the matter were underway.
“We wish to advise that Management is currently in ongoing consultation and discussion with the Ministry of Labour to resolve the matter within the agreed timelines,” it said. “We subscribe to high standards of ethics and professionalism in conducting our business and in the actions of our employees,” continued part of the statement.
Despite reiteration by the Pan African Bank that the allegations would be taken “very seriously”, the message did not go down well with civil society activists and social commentators who questioned the superiority of an individual over an institution.
“With all the grave accusations against Ecobank South Sudan Operation Manager, including sexual harassment, they decided to put this annoying statement out. Do these allegations require consultation or serious independent investigations by the bank?” said Wani Michael, Executive Director at Okay Africa Foundation.
“The same Ecobank Group Manager forced seven national staff members to resign, including his wife Winnie under the watch of the bank management. What kind of management style is this? Is this manager more important than the bank? What is the bank trying to protect?” Wani fumed.
A source who spoke to The City Review on condition of anonymity said the subjective mistreatment of local employees in South Sudan was not only rampant at Ecobank.
“Foreign-dominated companies in this country have always protected the interests of foreign employees at the expense of locals. If you do your research you’ll uncover shocking mistreatments given to locals, including unprecedented pay gaps. The government is doing nothing about it.”
However, James Oryema, another social commentator said if the seven employees were wrongfully dismissed, it was necessary to take legal action with responsible authorities.
“I advise the seven national staff to file a case of wrongful dismissal with the labour office. I think this is the best way to handle the issue otherwise it may appear as national staff members Versace a foreign manager,” Oryema stressed.
In an email to The City Review, Ecobank Group CEO Laoye Adenike said he was unaware of any report concerning the dismissal of staff adding that a group independent of Ecobank South Sudan was carrying investigations into the matter whose findings shall be made available to the responsible ministry.
“The current allegations at Ecobank South Sudan are being taken very seriously and a thorough investigation is being done from the Group, independent of South Sudan. Results of these investigations will be made available to the Ministry of Labour of South Sudan in line with the Ministry’s agreement with the Bank,” said Adenike. “We have Zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment in line with our core values, procedures, and policies,” the CEO added.