Management of one of Nigeria’s leading banks, Fidelity Bank Plc, has condemned the ongoing demonstrations at some of the bank’s offices in Lagos by those who claimed they were former workers agitating for outstanding pay, saying the bank owes no one any salary, severance package or gratuity.
Fidelity Bank Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, Charles Aigbe said in a statement on Wednesday that the bank is a responsible organisation, and one guided by the laws of the country in its mode of operation.
Aigbe said the demonstration which was an embarrassment to the innocent customers of Fidelity Bank was being orchestrated by few disengaged drivers from one of the bank’s vendor companies, and that the bank will not hesitate to take legal steps to stop further acts.
Aigbe’s full statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to the demonstrations at some of our Business offices in Lagos.
“The actions, aimed at preventing innocent customers from carrying out their banking transactions, is the handiwork of a few disengaged drivers from one of our vendor companies.
“We understand that the drivers who were in the past outsourced to the bank, have been paid their severance packages and entitlements by their employers.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we state categorically that Fidelity Bank is not owing staff salaries, severance packages or gratuity payments as erroneously being portrayed.
“We are a responsible financial institution, operating in Nigeria and guided by the laws of the land. Whilst we are not against the right to constituted assembly, these actions are clearly unwarranted and obviously misdirected.
“We are initiating legal measures to put a stop to this corporate harassment and we urge the relevant authorities, including the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to note this threat to the conduct of our legitimate business.
“Thank you.”
