Pula Steel extends employees� unpaid leave

Pula Steel was ordered to pay the employees
Pula Steel was ordered to pay the employees

SELEBI-PHIKWE: Pula Steel Manufacturing, a subsidiary of BCL Mine has issued its employees with letters extending their unpaid leave period to end of this month.

This is despite the fact that the parties went for mediation at the labour department early this week where Mmegi Business is informed that Pula Steel was ordered to pay the employees as it was found to be in contravention of Section 16 of the Employment Act.

The company sent its employees on a one-month unpaid leave at the beginning of July after it was ordered to close down for failure to comply with the set safety standards to instal pollution control system by the Department of Waste Management and Pollution Control in June. Corporate Services director, Brian Mosenene confirmed the extension of the unpaid leave. He said the extension was necessary because though they have completed the installation of a pollution control system to comply with the necessary safety standards, they do not know when the Department of Pollution Control and Waste Management will inspect and give a green light for the plant to resume production. “If we allow employees to return to work now we will face a situation where we cannot afford to pay them,” he said.

Editor's Comment
FMD crisis: We must fight as one

That should concern every Motswana. The implications extend far beyond cattle and farmers. Botswana’s beef industry is a critical pillar of the economy, supporting thousands of households and sustaining businesses along the value chain.The loss of access to lucrative export markets has already demonstrated how quickly an animal-health crisis can become an economic crisis.This is, therefore, not the time for complacency, blame, or political...

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