BMWU reiterates call for Lucara MD to resign
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Monday July 10, 2023 06:00
Lucara rejected BMWU demands for the mining company recently following the mining union petition. Some of the demands included Lahri's resignation, halting the restructuring of the security department and availing of the Lucara investigations and security optimisations report.
The union has always maintained that Lahri should quit her job citing that she was unable to manage the mining company. In an interview with Mmegi this week, BMWU president Joseph Tsimako said that Lahri has outgrown competence as she has worked at the facility for a considerable amount of time. "Remember in such offices one should not overstay in the same position for a long period of time," he added.
Tsimako stated that they would keep submitting petitions if Lucara does not comply with their demands. He alleged that when governance flaws are not resolved at the Lucara, the diamond mining company's reputation will suffer.
In order to demonstrate the absence of governance implied by Lucara, BMWU president said that they intend to contact international organisations through their affiliates (Industry All).
“Our grievances will not be only dealt with by petitions ,” he added. Lucara has maintained its position not to comment as it is an HR matter. Prior to that, Tsimako said that they would still contact the Lucara board to ask the MD to resign since they didn’t want to make a dashed choice. Speaking about their bargaining meeting as per the court ruling, Tsimako said that Lucara submitted its layoff package proposals this week. “We long submitted the proposals and we were still awaiting them so that we can come up with the way forward.
At the moment if we have two proposals we are to set another date for both parties to meet so that discussions on the packages can be finalised,” he added. The decision comes after the Industrial court ruled in favour of BMWU and stopped Lucara from proceeding with its restructuring process pending consultations.
Lucara took a decision to carry out a rationalisation exercise across the company without consulting BMWU. In a recent letter addressed by Lucara board chairman Paul Conibear, said that they are aware of the various press statements issued by BMWU which were attacking Lahri. It further reads that in all the instances alluded to Lahri by the Union , no evidence of any wrongdoing on her part has been provided by the Union.
“The Board will, however, do its own assessment to verify the purported allegations. We believe that the incessant and unjustified hostility against Lahri should be discouraged. The board remains confident Lahri’s ability to successfully lead the Company towards meeting its strategic goals.” In conclusion, the mining company was of view that both the union and management must make a concerted effort to address all areas of disquiet together and to improve their relationship for everyone’s benefit.