Unions take Kanye SDA to task over 33 expelled workers
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday September 9, 2024 10:25
The unions have described the dismissals as hasty, unwarranted, and unjustified, labelling them as a senseless attempt to resolve a long-standing dispute over unpaid salaries. The matter could escalate to the Industrial Court as the unions which had taken the matter to the Department of Labour await a new date to appear before the Commissioner of Labour. The matter was postponed after the previous Principal retired. According to the unions, the decision to dismiss the workers follows a series of protests and sit-ins that began in February 2024.
The protests were in response to the non-payment of salaries for September, October, and November 2023, as well as outstanding salary increments from July 2022 to April 2023. Despite the workers’ efforts to bring attention to their plight, the management of the SDA College of Nursing has refused to address the issue or engage in meaningful dialogue with the affected employees. “This reckless and insensitive decision follows a series of protests and sit-ins by workers in disputes of non-payment of salaries and delay tactics by the employer to sign a recognition agreement with the unions they have affiliated to,” a joint statement from the unions reads. The unions have accused the college of displaying arrogance and exploiting its workers, taking advantage of its excessive authority and lack of regulation by the government.
“Kanye SDA College of Nursing continues to display arrogance because it enjoys excessive authority over workers and is almost unregulated by the government. In their pursuit of profit maximisation, the College oppresses and exploits workers, treating them as providers of cheap and easily disposable labour,” the statement read. BLLAHWU and BONU have condemned the dismissals as illegal and undemocratic, emphasising that workers have the right to organise and associate with a union of their choice. “The two unions condemn these illegal and undemocratic dismissals of workers. Not only do workers have the right to organise themselves and associate with a union of their choice, but they also have the right to be treated fairly even when disciplinary measures are instituted. SDA has no right to dismiss workers without taking them through a fair disciplinary process,” the unions stated. The unions argue that the dismissal of such a significant number of workers over unpaid salaries is unacceptable. “Considering the prevailing economic conditions characterised by poverty, underemployment, and unemployment, the dismissal of such a significant number of workers over rights of payments for services rendered is extremely unacceptable and should not be allowed,” the statement continued. In addition to calling for the reinstatement of the workers, BLLAHWU and BONU demand the immediate resignation of the SDA Union President and the Chief Human Resource and Administration Officer.
“Moreover, the unions also call for the immediate resignation of the SDA Union President and Chief Human Resource and Administration Officer with immediate effect for failing to run the school and for being brutal to workers. We thought maybe they would run the school better since they are Christians, but they have since indicated that they are wolves in sheep’s clothing,” the statement reads. The unions have also called on politicians, particularly those whose constituencies include the school, to demonstrate that they have the welfare of workers at heart. “Furthermore, we implore politicians, particularly those whose constituencies include the school, to demonstrate that they have workers’ welfare at heart, and this will be the yardstick to measure whether they can be elected in the upcoming general elections or not,” the unions concluded. The SDA College of Nursing has a long history of providing education and training to aspiring nurses in Botswana. However, its relationship with its employees has been marred by disputes over working conditions and salary payments. The same has also happened with students complaining of high fees and the quality of the education provided to them. Its management has yet to respond to questions from this publication. The chairperson, Pastor Strike Ben, said he was yet to consult with those at the institution before he could revert.