Kasaï 1: the intersyndicale wins its case against Advans bank's withholding of teachers' wages

The coalition of teachers' unions representing primary, secondary, and technical education (EPST) in the Kasaï 1 educational province has decided to suspend the march scheduled for Friday, February 9, in Tshikapa to protest Advans Bank's deduction of so-called "Eyano insurance" premiums directly from teachers' salaries This decision was announced by the provincial president of the teachers’ union coalition on Thursday, February 8, following a meeting between union representatives and the Advans branch manager in Tshikapa. Pierre Kami Kaminya Matala stated that the bank’s management agreed to comply with the demand raised by the coalition—namely, to cease deducting these fees from teachers’ salaries. They agreed that all funds already withheld for this purpose would be refunded to each teacher, except for those who have consented to obtain Eyano insurance; furthermore, payroll would not be processed until the fees already collected have been refunded. Eyano insurance has amounted to 27,000 francs deducted from each teacher’s salary since November at Advans Bank. Anyone with a checking account is debited this amount of 27,000 FC or $10, so that in the event of the customer’s death, the bank can compensate the deceased’s family. Willy Kambulu