Bank of South Sudan headquarters in Jebel, Juba. (Photo: Eye Radio).

Employees of the Bank of South Sudan on Tuesday morning held a sit-in protest, demanding payment of salary-related arrears, incentives, and improved access to their earnings.

Speaking to Eye Radio on condition of anonymity, one staff member said the workers’ grievances center on three key issues, including unpaid incentives, lack of medical insurance, and difficulties accessing salaries deposited in commercial banks.

According to the employee, staff are entitled to medical insurance under the bank’s policies, but the benefit has not been adequately provided.

The worker also claimed that incentives dating back nearly two years remain unpaid.

“The staff are saying arrears of almost two years have not been paid, and there is no indication of when they will be settled,”

The source further stated that although salaries are deposited into commercial bank accounts, workers often struggle to withdraw their money due to cash shortages.

“Many staff have not been able to fully access their salaries for almost a year, leaving them in a very vulnerable situation,”.

The worker said employees held a general meeting two weeks ago and gave the bank’s management a two-week ultimatum to address their concerns.

After the deadline elapsed without a response, staff reportedly decided to report to work but refrain from performing their duties, resulting in the ongoing sit-in.

According to the source, senior management had not yet engaged directly with the protesting workers by Tuesday morning.

However, an emergency management meeting was reportedly underway to discuss the situation.

The employee also said access to the bank’s premises had been restricted, with customers unable to conduct normal transactions.

Another employee confirmed the Tuesday morning protest to Eye Radio via a WhatsApp, saying “they started this morning at Jondoru HQ”

The protest is understood to involve staff from different branches, with workers describing the concerns as affecting employees across the institution rather than a single location.

Eye Radio has not independently verified the claims and is seeking comment from the Bank of South Sudan management.