JOHANNESBURG: Top banks say Oakbay employees will have to wait to learn whether business accounts belonging to the Gupta family will be reopened.
FNB, Absa and Standard Bank shut down bank accounts belonging to the Gupta family after a series of scandals involving their alleged use of President Jacob Zuma’s name to gain influential political and economic favour.
Workers at the company and its subsidiaries marched to the banks’ offices yesterday, warning of devastating job losses.
When employees of ANN7 and TNA Gugu Masinga and Aphiwe Bukani handed over the group’s memorandum of demands at the banks, the only response afforded them was that their issues would be discussed and a response provided in weeks to come.
Standard Bank representative Joshua Zwane commended the workers for raising their concerns directly with the bank.
“We want to acknowledge and appreciate you. And by the way you are exercising your constitutional rights which we respect at the Standard Bank group.”
ABSA’s Phakamani Radebe said: ”The memorandum will be considered and we will respond in due course.”
The workers have received support from Cosatu. Spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said:
“This decision by the banks has put the workers’ livelihoods at risk.
“We reiterate our position that workers should not be victims of corporate conflicts and should not be made to pay for the sins of others.”