25 June 2011
Some editorial employees at the privately-owned Post Newspaper have appealed to the Government, through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to institute investigations into alleged flouting of labour laws by the newspaper’s management.
And Labour Commissioner Noah Siasimuna has advised the aggrieved employees at the newspaper company to officially write to his office so that the matter can be investigated.The journalists, who sought anonymity for fear of victimisation, told the Times in Lusaka yesterday that they were working in fear as they do not have proper job security.
They complained that management would fire any employee anytime without giving any convincing reasons.But when contacted for a comment Post managing editor, Amos Malupenga said there was no truth in the allegations by the employees.
The Post workers said management was abusing clause 4 of the Employment Agreement which states that either the employer or employee would terminate the employment contract anytime.
“Three of our colleagues’ two females from editorial and one person from the graphics were recently dismissed from employment without even being given proper reasons. Management has not allowed us to form a union. Every time the so-called Editor-In-Chief, Mr Mmembe is telling us off that we can leave if we want or that he can fire us.
So it is difficult for us to challenge such dismissals without a union.”We are, therefore, appealing to the Government, through the Ministry of Labour to institute investigations because we are insecure, there is no job security.
We are working like casual workers. Management can decide at anytime to fire whoever they want,” the source said.The employees also complained of poor working conditions because of not having a union.
“At least we know that in the State media, no one gets as low as K1.5 million as a monthly salary and yet some of us that is our monthly salary and there is no housing allowance. Sometimes, these same meager salaries even delay.
As we speak, the managers have been told that they would only get their June salaries in August,” said the source.
According to one of the termination letters obtained by the Times to one of the employees, management had decided to give a 30-day notice of termination of the contract of employment without stating any reasons.
“We wish to inform you that management has decided to give you 30 days notice of termination of your employment in terms of Clause 4 of your contract of employment.
“You will, however, be paid your leave days and one month’s salary in lieu of notice. The termination is effective immediately,” reads the letter dated June 2, 2011 and signed by a Ms Gladys Kaulu from the newspaper’s human and administration department.
When contacted for comment, Mr Malupenga said there was no truth in the allegations by the employees.
“I was out of the country, why don’t you call me after an hour. But anyhow, there is no truth in those claims.
If it was true, they would have put their names on record,” he said.He described the claims by the editorial staff as just being mere “speculations.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Taken from:
Probe Post for Labour Violations, Employees Ask State