Marching unionists castigate �unspeakable� Moolmans

Fed up: Miners during their demonstration in Francistown yesterday PIC: KEOAGILE BONANGMarching unionists castigate u201cunspeakableu201d Moolmans PATRICIA EDWIN Staff Writer FRANCISTOWN: The Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) yesterday handed over a petition to the Minerals Ministry demanding action against Aveng Moolmans whom unionists accuse of a litany of injustices. Moolmans is the contract miner for Tati Nickel Mining Companyu2019s Phoenix nickel mine and has previously held other high profile contracts around local mines. After an energetic march, the miners arrived at the District Commissioneru2019s office in Ntshe House and handed over the petition concerning long standing issues such as retrenchment, employee welfare, job security, lack of respect by company management and others. Union members hoisted placards accusing Moolmans of all manner of injustices and demanding the dismissal of individuals they feel are behind the unhappiness. BMWU Secretary General, Bob Malele, read the petition and requested that it be handed to Minerals, Energy and Water Resources minister, Kitso Mokaila, the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs and the Moolmans management. Malele said burning issues at Moolmans include lack of respect for the union by management, retrenchment agreement package, low wages and pay structure, job security, promotion and acting, welfare, continuous operation, sick leave, localisation and training as well as labour disputes. In the petition, BMWU requests the minister to note that workers once petitioned Moolmans Directors in 2010 and u201cthere has been no improvement since thenu201d. Malele said the Union was aware of several instances of retrenchments at Moolmans, which did not sit well within the laws regulating retrenchment in Botswana. u201cThe continuous refusal of Moolmans to negotiate the Unionu2019s proposed retrenchment or redeployment agreement package and use of the low retrenchment package that was imposed during the 2008 Mowana Mining branch is unspeakable, inconsistent with international best practices and is grave evidence of unfair labour practices and slavery package perpetrated by Moolmanu2019s management,u201d he said. Malele said the BMWU wants management to discuss and speedily facilitate the conclusion of a new retrenchment agreement targeted at maximising benefits for employees. In the same petition the Union said Moolmans wages and pay structure was inferior to other mining houses. u201cThe unionu2019s opinion is that a new pay structure should be put in place and also that Moolmans seems to operate without a philosophy of retaining employees,u201d the petition reads. u201cThere is also no clear table for progression at Moolmans.u201d Workers also claim inhumane working conditions such as lack of changing rooms and shortage of fresh drinking water. Malele said that they have not put a time frame for the Minister to respond, as they would u201clike to give him some time, after which we will also send a follow up letteru201d. u2018We do not want to put unnecessary pressure on the Minister as he looks at the issues and subsequently respond,u201d he said. Receiving the petition, Assistant District Commissioner, Godiraone Mathumo said they would send the petition to the Minister as requested by BMWU. She re-assured them that they were not doing anything wrong or illegal by bringing the petition to her office. u201cYou are not offending anyone because we are in a democracy and you are allowed to express your concerns or feelings where things might not be going well,u201d she said.