Johannesburg - Hundreds of workers from companies owned by the controversial Gupta family took to the streets to hand over a memorandum to banks which have cut ties their businesses.
#saveoakbayjobs Joshua Zwane, representative of Standard Bank receives memorandum #IOL @IOL pic.twitter.com/oO9pqm9SoH
— MojoIOL (@mojoIOL) April 26, 2016
The family found itself in a predicament and unable to pay workers' salaries after the country's top banks decided to close down its business accounts.
Employees who work for its companies including Sahara Computers, ANN7 and The New Age (TNA) newspaper handed over a memorandum of demands to FNB, ABSA and Standard Bank, pleading with the institutions to reopen the accounts as failure to do so could lead to 7500 job losses.
ANN7 and The New Age newspaper employee, Gugu Masinga said their action was meant to put pressure on the banks and the country.
#saveoakbayjobs Employees now chant outside Standard Bank #IOL @IOL pic.twitter.com/c1QLppnI5q
— MojoIOL (@mojoIOL) April 26, 2016
“We are hopeful that this will raise awareness and our plea will be considered,” said Masinga.
A concerned marcher, DJ Nel, who has been working for family owned company Oakbay for the past two years explained how the closure of accounts was an unfair act to all employees.
#saveoakbayjobs March to Absa, FNB, and Standard Bank https://t.co/m9EluXmfY1
— Lesego Makgatho (@ElleSego) April 26, 2016
“We got paid this month, but I doubt we will be paid next month. They need to listen to us. We are here in our numbers and it is our constitutional right to fight for our rights,” said Nel.
The marchers feel that they have not done anything wrong and do not understand why they should be victims to the "political game".
Labour Bureau
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