By Sabri Dibaco
Employees of the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) resumed their strike after Governor Johnny Ohisa Damian issued an administrative order dissolving the Bank of South Sudan Workers Trade Union (BoSSWTU).
After the dissolution of the pressure body, many of the staff at the bank resumed their peaceful protest, hence escalating a dispute over unpaid staff benefits and the legality of the union’s activities.
The strike resumed just days after workers demanded payment of salary arrears and other outstanding benefits reportedly owed for nearly two years.
Through their union, employees had given the bank’s management a ten-day ultimatum to address their grievances.
In an administrative order issued under Section 26(1) of the Bank of South Sudan Act, as amended in 2023, Governor Damian announced the immediate dissolution of the workers’ union until further notice.
“In exercise of powers conferred upon me under Section 26(1) of the Bank of South Sudan Act as amended 2023, I, Johnny Ohisa Damian, Governor of the Bank of South Sudan, do hereby issue this administrative order to dissolve the Bank of South Sudan Workers Trade Union (BoSSWTU) until further notice.” the order reads
The governor justified the decision by accusing the union of organising what he described as an illegal general assembly meeting.
According to the order, the union was dissolved for:
“Conducting an illegal general assembly meeting in which an ultimatum was issued to the top management to respond to the demands,” the order reads.
The move has intensified tensions within the central bank, prompting workers to resume industrial action. However, the dissolved union has rejected the governor’s decision.
William Madut Akol, Chairperson of the Bank of South Sudan Workers Trade Union, described the administrative order as unconstitutional, arguing that the governor lacks legal authority to dissolve the union.
Madut said the workers’ union is protected under South Sudan’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association and expression.
He further argued that only the union’s General Assembly, through the required majority vote, has the mandate to dissolve the organisation.
The union leader also questioned the legality of an ongoing recruitment exercise at the bank, which has recently circulated on social media, saying the process raises concerns over transparency and compliance with established procedures.
The renewed strike comes amid growing frustration among employees over unpaid arrears and staff benefits, with workers insisting that their demands remain unresolved despite earlier engagements with management.
It remains unclear whether the bank’s leadership will enter fresh negotiations with employees or take further administrative action as the dispute deepens.
The industrial dispute began last week when employees of the Bank of South Sudan went on strike, demanding payment of salary arrears and other staff entitlements they say have accumulated for nearly two years.
Through the Bank of South Sudan Workers Trade Union, employees issued management with a ten-day ultimatum to address their grievances.
Instead of engaging with the union, Governor Johnny Ohisa Damian issued an administrative order dissolving the union, citing its decision to hold what he termed an illegal general assembly meeting and issue an ultimatum to management.
The dissolution has been strongly opposed by the union leadership, which argues that the decision violates constitutional guarantees on freedom of association and exceeds the governor’s legal authority.
The dispute has since widened to include concerns over a recruitment exercise currently underway at the bank, with the union questioning its legality as workers continue their industrial action.