Bank workers have through Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers Union (ZIBAWU) president, Peter Mutasa, appealed to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) provide minimum safety requirements for workers before reopening banks before the end of the 21-day national lockdown.

This comes after the central bank has directed Money Transfer Agencies (MTAs) to be reopened before the end of the 21-day national lockdown that was imposed to stop the spread of coronavirus. Mutasa said:

We do not see any measures put in place to ensure all banks adhere to the minimum safety and health standards. This is critical not just for the health of the staff, but clients and the nation.

Workers are also urging RBZ to ensure that all banking halls were not overstaffed and are also demanding safe, reliable transportation, adequate personal protective clothing and equipment such as masks and gloves and reasonable life assurance cover.

ZIBAWU also demanded COVID-19 counselling for all bank workers and their families as well as regular testing of the disease.