MONROVIA – The Division of Labor Standards at the Ministry of Labour has issued a default judgment in favor of Miatta Sonii Jarry, former Treasurer and Risk Manager of SIB, who was wrongfully dismissed in December 2024.
The ruling follows an investigation which found that Mrs. Jarry was terminated based on malice, prejudice, hatred, and administrative errors allegedly perpetrated by the bank.
Mrs. Jarry, regarded as an intergrity icon, is a seasoned banker with over seven years of service at the Central Bank of Liberia before joining SIB. She was represented by Heritage Partners Law Firm through Cllr. Lucia Gbala. The bank was defended by Sannoh & Partners Law Firm.
The Ministry of Labor found that her religious beliefs as a devout Seventh-day Adventist, which prohibited her from working on Saturdays, were used as grounds for dismissal—even though she had secured a formal exemption from Saturday duties prior to accepting the job.
Jarry claimed she was also repeatedly denied her entitled annual leave, suspended without justification, and subjected to threats of dismissal by the bank’s Managing Director. These actions were deemed part of a broader pattern of harassment aimed at forcing her to compromise the bank’s internal policies. The Ministry ruled that Jarry be reinstated and paid all of her entitled benefits.
“It is therefore, our holding and conviction that Defendant/SIB reinstate complainant and pay all of her entitlements and benefits as if she was not dismissed or in lieu of reinstatement she be paid fourteen (14) months salary, outstanding leave (two weeks per year) for three years and provident fund 8% (eight percent) Gross Salary per year for seven years.”
As a result of the default judgment, SIB is expected to pay significant compensation to Mrs. Jarry, the details of which were outlined in the court’s ruling.
However, the bank has the option to appeal if it is dissatisfied with the Ministry’s Division of Labor Standards’ ruling.
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