Tallman,
Yuh cyar walk een Republic bank down here no more.....
Republic: 'No hat' policy to protect customers
By Richard Charan richard.charan@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created: Jan 18, 2011 at 11:54 PM ECT
Story Updated: Jan 18, 2011 at 11:54 PM ECT
Rastafarian Michael Scott is claiming he was booted out of the Siparia branch of Republic Bank Ltd because he refused the bank's request to remove the hat covering his dreadlocks.
Scott said when he protested, his account was closed by the bank's manager, who promised a cheque for all his outstanding deposits would be sent in the mail.
As of yesterday, Scott said he was yet to receive the cheque.
Scott's claims are made in a letter sent yesterday by his attorney, Derek Ali, to Republic Bank's managing director, David Dulal-Whiteway. Scott also intends to complain to the Equal Opportunity Commission and the Banking Ombudsman.
Contacted yesterday afternoon by phone, the bank's general manager, marketing and communications, Anna-Maria Garcia-Brooks was asked to comment on the allegations, but confirmed only that Republic Bank had a no-hat policy.
She told the Express the policy was instituted for the protection of the bank's customers.
Garcia-Brooks said the policy has been in place for some time. She was contacted later again yesterday for further comment, but said she could not comment further at that time.
Scott, 52, of Beach Road, Palo Seco, who retired medically unfit from the Water and Sewerage Authority, said he was a customer at the bank for 32 years.
The lawyer's letter states that on January 7, Scott went to the bank to do business and was told by the security guard that "the bank's policy dictated that no one will be allowed service at the bank while wearing a hat or while utilising a cellphone".
Scott said his dreadlocks were neatly tucked under the appropriate headwear and it was no different from what he wore for three decades. He said he tried to explain to the bank guard that his dreadlocks were an expression of his faith.
Scott said his explanation was not accepted by the guard or bank manager, "who insisted that he subject himself to the humiliation of removing his headwear in full public view or he will not be allowed service at the bank". He said when he complained that the bank was discriminatory against "Rastamen", he was "promptly thrown out the bank in full public view".
Attorney Derek Ali said the actions against Scott "are not enforced against any members of other religious groups, for example, members of the Muslim faith are allowed to attend the bank wearing either a Hijab or a Burka; members of the Baptist faith are permitted to attend the bank wearing full Baptiste headwear and members of the Hindu faith can attend the bank wearing either an Orhni or similar headwear".
In a letter dated January 10 by the bank's branch sales manager, Scott was told a cheque would be delivered since "we are unable to provide you with the standard of service required by your good self despite our efforts. This was evident by your behaviour/actions and the use of obscene language in our banking hall, on more than one occasion directed to staff, the security guard and the branch manger".
Scott said he never misbehaved, and his lawyer believes the bank is liable to pay damages for breach of contract.