Fake qualifications: Swakop Uranium on self-cleanse
Staff members are expected to submit certified copies of their qualifications and personal documents by no later than 15 November.
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
The Swakop Uranium's Husab mine has embarked on a skills audit which may see a number of staff facing fires if it is found that qualifications were forged. So far, only 88% of staff complied with the exercise since it was rolled out in 2020.
The mine management informed staff this week a total of 178 documents have been processed during the verification process with the education ministry, which kicked off last month.
Staff members are expected to submit certified copies of their qualifications and personal documents by no later than 15 November.
Ebben Zarondo of the Mine Workers Union (MUN) said yesterday they are in the dark about this exercise and only learnt about it through social media.
“There was no formal communication from the regional structure. I will wait until I am informed. If it is done lawfully, there is nothing we can do. I will follow up with the management to hear how it will be conducted, whether it will include all employees or whether only certain employees targeted,” he said.
Best practices
Swakop Uranium’s public relations officer Frieda Abraham confirmed that the exercise is underway, adding that it is part of the company’s efforts to move towards its vision to be a world-class uranium producer, which involves regular reviews of its business systems and compliances.
“Verification of qualifications is a best practice principle within industries. The company has embarked on a process of verifying the authenticity of educational qualifications. At this stage, there is no employee who was dismissed as a result of this verification process.
“Yes, there will be some incidents where employees may be required to produce original documents if verifications are unable to trace certificate or document numbers.
“If any irregularities are reported/verified, the company’s internal disciplinary processes will take its course,” she said.
Abrahams also dismissed claims from employees that this is a clandestine attempt at downscaling company operations without financial implications.
“Swakop Uranium has no intention of downscaling the workforce. The public is encouraged to apply for any vacancy published on the Swakop Uranium postal which they are qualified for.”
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
The Swakop Uranium's Husab mine has embarked on a skills audit which may see a number of staff facing fires if it is found that qualifications were forged. So far, only 88% of staff complied with the exercise since it was rolled out in 2020.
The mine management informed staff this week a total of 178 documents have been processed during the verification process with the education ministry, which kicked off last month.
Staff members are expected to submit certified copies of their qualifications and personal documents by no later than 15 November.
Ebben Zarondo of the Mine Workers Union (MUN) said yesterday they are in the dark about this exercise and only learnt about it through social media.
“There was no formal communication from the regional structure. I will wait until I am informed. If it is done lawfully, there is nothing we can do. I will follow up with the management to hear how it will be conducted, whether it will include all employees or whether only certain employees targeted,” he said.
Best practices
Swakop Uranium’s public relations officer Frieda Abraham confirmed that the exercise is underway, adding that it is part of the company’s efforts to move towards its vision to be a world-class uranium producer, which involves regular reviews of its business systems and compliances.
“Verification of qualifications is a best practice principle within industries. The company has embarked on a process of verifying the authenticity of educational qualifications. At this stage, there is no employee who was dismissed as a result of this verification process.
“Yes, there will be some incidents where employees may be required to produce original documents if verifications are unable to trace certificate or document numbers.
“If any irregularities are reported/verified, the company’s internal disciplinary processes will take its course,” she said.
Abrahams also dismissed claims from employees that this is a clandestine attempt at downscaling company operations without financial implications.
“Swakop Uranium has no intention of downscaling the workforce. The public is encouraged to apply for any vacancy published on the Swakop Uranium postal which they are qualified for.”
[email protected]
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