12 Nov 2020

As two operations at Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) face closure, priority is to retain employees.

The President of Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) Mr Joseph Tsimako said in an interview on November 10 that  Debswana had since suspended recruitment, therefore there were available positions into which affected employees could be absorbed.

Mr Tsimako as part of efforts to ensure that no one lost their job, the union had also proposed voluntary separation for both OLDM and Jwaneng mine since the current State of Emergency did not allow retrenchment of employees.

Positions that would be created through voluntary separation exercise, he said, would be used to absorb affected employees, adding that they had reached an agreement with management on the issue.

This follows a media release by Debswana which stated that the ongoing market challenges and diminished revenues as a result of economic global recession due to COVID-19 had  prompted Debswana to accelerate the implementation transformation programme.

The company had stated that at the forefront of the accelerated long term initiatives was the retirement of two assets at OLDM operation which included permanent closure of Orapa Mine No 1 plant, and placement of Damtshaa Mine, a marginal operation, under care and maintenance.

It indicated that 500 jobs would be affected, but noted that the company was still in consultations with BMWU, and broader employee base to explore various options which included possible redeployment of employees to other areas of the business and voluntary mutual separation.

Mr Tsimako also stated that placement of employees should be at par with their scales, adding that all benefits should not be lost. 

He noted there were no ‘section 25 letters’ because employees would not be laid off.

In addition he stated that companies contracted in the mines were not affected by closure of the two plants.

He also indicated that some employees of the companies contracted in the mines were their members therefore if the companies were to lay off some employees they had to engage the union.

Orapa ward Councillor Mr Balopi Chilume reiterated that the current State of Emergency prohibited retrenchment.

Councillor Chilume observed that the mine was strategic and treaded carefully in addressing the issue on closure of the two operations being Damtshaa and Orapa No 1 Plant.

He stated that voluntary separation would be applied across board amongst all Debswana employees and scarce skill employees would be retained.

The area councillor implored the employees to make an objective personal decision that would not impact negatively on them in the near future.

He said they should know their priorities, adding they should not be enticed by money.

“Don’t make a decision based on another person’s decision,” he cautioned.

Mr Chilume advised them to apply past experiences’ lessons on the current situation.

He stated that some employees were approaching retirement age, therefore they were in good standing to go for voluntary separation , whilst others were very young to make such decision.

He said Debswana had been aware of the situation, and should have put measures  in place such as providing financial literacy programmes for the affected employees.

Mr Chilume advised the employees to seek financial advice, expressing concern that some had not made any investment or acquired any property.

He cautioned that money should not change their lifestyle, saying they were heading for difficult times.

He added that those who would not be affected, should know that anything could happen to them, as no one know what the effects of COVID-19 would lead to. Ends