The News

Standard Chartered Bank employees win redundancy case after sale to Access Bank

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Following the passing of the Employment Act, 2023 and the regulation to the same we see their wakefulness and full force. The Act and regulation aforesaid were passed in view of bringing to life the aspirations of both the Sierra Leone Labour Congress and the Employers Federation who craved a change in industrial relationships and facilitated the same.

This brilliant move has proved an invaluable aid to everyone involved in every form of industrial relationships, designs and activities within the country. The positions of the law as have been expressed address many fundamental issues which previously were not considered.

By the very resounding judgment obtained in favor of the employees of Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited who were involved in a legal brawl with their employer and who stood sentinel against an unfair show of power and might, light appears in place of the customary gloom and darkness that would have loomed large over the situation.

The possibility of this happening was as thin as a tissue paper until a small but powerful battery of lawyers of a firm named OJP Legal demonstrated grace, expertise and excellence.

The colorable claims of the Plaintiffs included the issue and use of the right multiplier to be used to calculate and determine the amount of redundancy compensation, end-of-service benefit and Payment in lieu of notice for redundancy that was due and owing to the Plaintiffs ( the employees of the bank aforementioned).

The decision of the court in February, 2024 following the very sound arguments advanced by counsel on either side stands on the strength and integrity of the crisp and clear provisions of law. By this judgement, clarity has been enhanced as we observed the echoes of the heart of the legal and regulatory frameworks on Employment and industrial matters in Sierra Leone.

A path has been created and a precedent has been set.