ADB workers embark on sit-down strike

Workers of the Agricultural Development Bank are this morning beginning a sit-down strike.

The action is to press home their demand for the resignation of the bank’s Board members and the Managing Director, Stephen Kpordzih.

“Let's us all remember that, if we do not see this through, majority of us will be victimized, and retrenched. Let's fight for our life. ADB is our food and we must jealously guide and protect it,” a statement issued to the workers via social media networks noted.

The statement also read in part: “The time is NOW. With regards to the Board and Managing Director's refusal to step aside for a proper examination of issues of gross incompetence and corruption raised by the joint unions and the failure of the appointing authorities to nominate external investigators to support the BoG to unravel the truth, we hereby declare a sit-down protest starting on the 28th of May 2015 till our shareholders do the needful.

“Gird your loins and be strong. We will be victorious because TRUTH always prevails.”

The workers of the bank were also issued the following guidelines:

1. Do NOT open the strong room to protect our cash.

2. Do NOT open the front doors to minimize agitation from customers.

3. Do NOT log in to your machines and systems.
4. Communication will be via social media.
5. All external communication will be handled by the UNICOF Executive.

6. Be rest assured that the laws of our motherland allow us to protest when we are displeased with issues.

7. Kindly be in your red arm bands and ties maintain your composure and discipline

The workers have also accused the government of bad faith.

“A while back, government intervened through the Labour Minister in its efforts to address UNICOF grievances. They proposed a road map for a successful resolution of the impasse. Whilst union abided by the road map, government went behind through the board to extend MD'S contract by additional 3 years thereby making mockery of our grievances and it's own efforts to address the issues”, the workers recounted.

They said government’s action is nothing short of “rewarding non-performance and naked robbery. If at all, why couldn't government wait for the audit process it has initiated to complete?”