Civil Society Coalition Urges Bank of South Sudan to Resolve Workers’ Union Dispute Through Dialogue

By Roselyn Oboy

The National Civil Society Coalition (NCSC) has called on the leadership of the Bank of South Sudan to resolve its ongoing dispute with the Bank’s Workers’ Trade Union through dialogue rather than dissolving the union.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the coalition expressed concern over the Bank’s reported decision to indefinitely dissolve the Workers’ Trade Union following a sit-in strike that began on July 7. The strike was organized by union members to press for the resolution of workplace grievances.

According to the NCSC, the union’s industrial action was conducted in accordance with legally recognized civil disobedience procedures. The coalition argued that dissolving the union was both unlawful and procedurally flawed.

The coalition cited the Workers’ Trade Union Act, 2013, stating that the authority to dissolve a trade union does not rest solely with an employer but involves the union itself and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

NCSC warned that the decision could undermine constitutionally protected rights to freedom of expression and association while setting a negative precedent that may discourage civic participation and independent workers’ organizations across the country.

The coalition appealed to the Governor of the Bank of South Sudan to engage the Workers’ Trade Union in constructive dialogue, expressing confidence that negotiations would address the underlying grievances and help restore cooperation between the two sides.

The statement was signed by NCSC Chairperson Bol Deng Bol.