03 Dec 2018

Choppies Group of Companies does not recognise sick leave given to employees by medical officers in government health facilities.

Responding to a question in Parliament, the minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo said his ministry carried out labour inspections in 35 stores in the Choppies Group of Companies countrywide from May 8 -17.

Minister Mabeo pointed out that during the labour inspections, they identified violations of labour laws such that sick leave given to employees by medical officers in government health facilities were not recognised by management, instead management only recognised sick leaves from  private doctors.

He also said it was also found out that employees were paid overtime allowance at single rate instead of 1.5 times or double rate as provided in the Employment Act.

Furthermore, he said copies of contracts of employment were not availed to employees and that employees who joined the company pensions scheme were not paid severance benefits for the period prior to joining the pension scheme.

Minister Mabeo said that it was found that management was giving female employees three months to nurse a child instead of six months as provided in the Employment ACT.

He also mentioned that it was discovered that the employees were not allowed to form employee representative committees.

Nevertheless, Minister Mabeo said the companies were advised on labour laws, and where they were found lacking in as far as compliance with the law was concerned.

He said they were advised to bring their practices in line with the law.

Moreover, Minister Mabeo said since January, 11 trade disputes were referred to Industrial Court, adding that the disputes involved unfair dismissal, terminal benefits and overtime, among others.

Meanwhile, Minister Mabeo stated that he was not aware that employees who aired their grievances at Choppies Group of Companies were fired without disciplinary hearing, adding that no such cases were brought to the attention of labour inspectors.

Gaborone North Member of Parliament Mr Haskins Nkaigwa had asked the minister to explain what Choppies Group of Companies was doing to address the continued abuse of labour laws.

MP Nkaigwa had also wanted the minister to state the number of abuse-related cases before the courts concerning the company and if he was aware that employees who air their grievances at the Choppies Group of Companies were fired without hearings. Ends