08 Apr 2018

Some employees of Consolidated Construction Company and CSCEC Joint Venture, a company  engaged in the construction of the Gaborone-Boatle dual carriage road have  withdrawn  labour accusing their employer of low payment.

 

At least 50 employees, comprising mostly of drivers, labourers and grader operators are  accusing the company  of underpaying them and failing to address their grievances.

 

On behalf of the employees, Mr Patrick Phalanyane, who is a truck driver, stated that they were paid low wages and that management was reluctant to discuss the issue with  employees. 

 

He said in January they wrote a letter to the management requesting salary review, but the management chose to address them verbally and did not address their concerns.

 

Mr Phalanyane  accused the employer of changing their conditions of service without engaging them, adding that at the beginning of the project, they were provided with transport to and from work, but that has stopped without any explanation.

 

Further, the Consolidated Construction Company and CSCEC Joint Venture was accused of failing to come up with any option of meeting the workers halfway after failing to transport them and also alleged that the company favoured foreigners over locals, as the latter were given better wages.

 

However, the company has refused to comment on the development  and stated that it was only a few people who have decided to withdraw their labour.

 

 The company management said they are constrained by the contract they have signed with the project procuring entity to discuss matters with the press.

 

 Human resources manager, Mr Joseph Mafa has in the past told a kgotla meeting in Ramotswa that they were faced with a problem of workers indiscipline.

 

He said some workers absconded from work after pay day, while others reported for work  under the influence of alcohol.

 

Hence, he said the company had decided to engage the leadership of Taung village to address the workers.

 

 The project has around 420 workers and most of them are from Ramotswa, Taung and Metsimaswaane, according to the contractor. ENDS