05 Jul 2020

Kromberg and Schubert employees and the company’s management have reached a common ground a week after over 2 000 workers downed tools due to what they termed unfair labour practices by the employer.

According to a press release from the company, an agreement has been reached to the effect that the aggrieved workers earning P3 000 or less be paid P1 000 each to augment the wage subsidies for April, May and June.

“From July 2020 until the end of the State of Public Emergency, employees will be paid a minimum of 12 days per month as per the agreement due to COVID-19 setbacks.

The 12 days exclude paid public holidays, which will be paid in addition to the days for each month that has paid public holidays,” the release explains.

The employees downed tools from June 29 to July 3, thereby prompting a tripartite meeting to discuss the issues.

The press release explains that the June 30 meeting, convened by the Minister of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development, Mr Mpho Balopi was attended by Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU), Business Botswana, Kromberg and Schubert management and employees representatives.

Consequently, it further states that the acting commissioner and her office were assigned to mediate on the matter with Business Botswana and BFTU assisting during the negotiations.

The background of the dispute is that on March 26, before the State of Public Emergency, workers were given options to utilise their leave days, borrow leave or take unpaid leave. This meant that there were no basic salaries for April, May and June. The wage subsidy was the only income received for the aforesaid months.

Those who worked during May and June were paid only for the hours worked.

Since the workers did not have a union, consultations were made with the employees’ representative committee, to which the aggrieved employees alleges misrepresentation.

Human resource officer, Mr Pako Tsimanyane explained in an interview that transport, meals and pension arrangements would not be affected while payment of money due from the agreement had been made on July 3 and employees resumed work immediately.

BFTU secretary-general, Mr Thusang Butale applauded Kromberg and Schubert management and employees for engaging in a dialogue to find an amicable solution.

He said that the Ministry of Employment, Labour Productivity and Skills Development played a crucial role in ensuring that the matter was concluded within the ambit of the tripartite.

“The struggle of workers during this period has magnified and as a federation, we are still adamant that the restrictions imposed on the right to industrial action expose workers to unfair labour practices with little recourse,” he said.

He urged employees to continue engaging and exploring other ways of protecting their rights and strike a balance between health, labour and human rights. Ends