Nafau demands
Nafau considers it as unfair dismissal that should be revoked with immediate effect because Pick n Pay did not stick to the joint agreement letter.
The Namibia Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau) said Pick n Pay should withdraw the retrenchment letter issued to employees on 11 August with immediate effect and reinstate them in the same positions with benefits.
Nafau general secretary Jacob Penda during a press conference said Pick n Pay issued a retrenchment letter to 246 employees on 11 August 2020, notifying them that their contracts will be collectively terminated, without informing the union and the Office of the Labour Commissioner.
He said Nafau considers this as unfair dismissal that should be revoked with immediate effect because Pick n Pay did not stick to the joint agreement letter, they signed with the union recently.
“Pick n Pay should respect the joint letter and notify employees through the right channel, and respect the power invested in the arbitration processes by Labour Act No. 11 of 2007,” said Penda.
Negotiations
He added that Nafau engaged Pick n Pay on several occasions in negotiating alternative retrenchment on behalf of employees in the bargaining unit where Pick n Pay agreed to hold on with the retrenchment, but then later changed and went ahead with retrenching employees without the knowledge of the union.
This forced Nafau to declare a dispute on behalf of the affected employees.
“During this process, the Labour Ministry engaged the parties and advised them to negotiate and find an amicable solution on the retrenchment process. The parties met and signed a joint communication letter stating that retrenchments will not be executed pending the outcome of the dispute negotiations,” said Penda.
When contacted for comment, Ohlthaver and List Group public relations manager Roux-che Locke said the employees’ contracts were lawful and collectively terminated as per section 34 of the Labour Act, adding 229 employees were given their termination letter on 12 August 2020.
“We are saddened that the current economic situation has necessitated this restructure. With a heavy heart, we would like to thank all our employees for their services rendered to Pick n Pay Namibia,” said Locke. Pick n Pay is a subsidiary of Ohlthaver and List. - Nampa
Nafau general secretary Jacob Penda during a press conference said Pick n Pay issued a retrenchment letter to 246 employees on 11 August 2020, notifying them that their contracts will be collectively terminated, without informing the union and the Office of the Labour Commissioner.
He said Nafau considers this as unfair dismissal that should be revoked with immediate effect because Pick n Pay did not stick to the joint agreement letter, they signed with the union recently.
“Pick n Pay should respect the joint letter and notify employees through the right channel, and respect the power invested in the arbitration processes by Labour Act No. 11 of 2007,” said Penda.
Negotiations
He added that Nafau engaged Pick n Pay on several occasions in negotiating alternative retrenchment on behalf of employees in the bargaining unit where Pick n Pay agreed to hold on with the retrenchment, but then later changed and went ahead with retrenching employees without the knowledge of the union.
This forced Nafau to declare a dispute on behalf of the affected employees.
“During this process, the Labour Ministry engaged the parties and advised them to negotiate and find an amicable solution on the retrenchment process. The parties met and signed a joint communication letter stating that retrenchments will not be executed pending the outcome of the dispute negotiations,” said Penda.
When contacted for comment, Ohlthaver and List Group public relations manager Roux-che Locke said the employees’ contracts were lawful and collectively terminated as per section 34 of the Labour Act, adding 229 employees were given their termination letter on 12 August 2020.
“We are saddened that the current economic situation has necessitated this restructure. With a heavy heart, we would like to thank all our employees for their services rendered to Pick n Pay Namibia,” said Locke. Pick n Pay is a subsidiary of Ohlthaver and List. - Nampa
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article