10 Feb 2019

Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo has encouraged employees of Caldic Investments, Maun to have faith that their case would be resolved amicably and urgently.

Caldic Investments is a company that specialises in manufacturing concrete building products and has been operating in Maun since 2009.

Mr Mabeo observed that since the employees’ case was before the Industrial Court, the ministry could only wish them well, that their employer appeared when summoned by the court or better still, that the employer paid them their dues, which would save the court time and benefit employees.

He noted that it was a challenge since the employer was currently outside the country, but that it would save time if he appeared when summoned.

Speaking during a briefing with the minister on February 8, one of the employees, Mr Bapute Reekae appreciated the minister’s visit to appreciate their predicament.

Mr Reekae said the regional labour office in Maun had been supportive, hence gave them guidance on how to best handle their concerns with their employer, who had since gone to South Africa.

The staff briefed Minister Mabeo that they lodged an urgent court application against their employer following an unwarranted notice of termination of employment, which they received on January 16 after their employer promised that their employment would not be terminated.

Mr Reekae said they made a telephone call to the company director in South Africa on January 10 to establish whether they should continue with work since things seemed unusual when they reported for duty January 9.

He said the company director promised them that everything was in control and was sourcing funds for their salaries and company operations.

Mr Reekae said they were therefore shocked to receive letters of notice of termination of employment on January 16.

He said the company seemed to have plundered more into trouble since Botswana Unified Revenue Service repossessed some equipment on site on January 21.

He said they had since submitted an urgent application with the Industrial Court on February 3.

Employees informed the minister that they needed their January salaries and other benefits.

About 56 employees have been affected by the shutdown. ENDS