Suspended Kayec trainers cry foul
New staff 'already called in'
While six of the trainers only received verbal warnings, the other nine were charged with insubordination – allegedly for missing a single meeting.
A group of nine trainers from the Katutura Youth Enterprise Centre (Kayec) has called on the institution to revisit its decision to suspend them on 28 September for allegedly missing a meeting.
Namibian Sun understands five of the trainers have since been dismissed.
According to a source, new trainers started in these vacant positions on Monday.
"At Kayec, trainers together with our supervisor always have meetings every second Friday and according to our meeting schedule, our next meeting was supposed to be on 15 September, but our supervisor Webster Simasiku reported us to the director Nelson Prada that we did not attend the meeting he scheduled for 8 September,” one of the aggrieved trainers – who preferred to remain anonymous – said.
Simasiku allegedly claimed that he verbally informed the instructors on or before 8 September about the meeting.
The trainers – initially a group of 15 - were then called into the director's office on Friday, 15 September.
While six only received verbal warnings, the other nine were charged with insubordination and given notice to appear at a disciplinary hearing on Thursday, 21 September, the group said.
"On 28 September, we got the feedback from the hearing, and the nine trainers were found
guilty and suspended with immediate effect,” the source said.
Allegations denied
Prada has denied allegations of unfair suspension and dismissal of the trainers.
He maintained that the Kayec Trust followed procedures in line with the Labour Act.
"Kayec Trust is committed to always complying with the provisions of the Namibian Labour Act, and urges the aggrieved employees to follow suit," he told Namibian Sun.
In 2016, Kayec reportedly fired 11 trainers after an illegal strike and for not reporting for duty. According to the source, this is cause for investigation into the centre’s practices.
Union to appeal
Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) secretary-general Mahongora Kavihua yesterday told Namibian Sun the union will appeal the dismissal and is confident the trainers will emerge victorious.
"We will end up at the labour commissioner's office if the institution does not rectify this. Not going to a meeting does not justify dismissing someone. Some of these trainers have been with Kayec for over nine years,” he said.
“It is unfortunate and we have not exhausted all internal remedies. We hope Kayec will reconsider its decision [and] appreciate the service of its trainers," Kavihua said.
The trainers have also called on the support of the higher education ministry as well as that of the National Training Authority.
Namibian Sun understands five of the trainers have since been dismissed.
According to a source, new trainers started in these vacant positions on Monday.
"At Kayec, trainers together with our supervisor always have meetings every second Friday and according to our meeting schedule, our next meeting was supposed to be on 15 September, but our supervisor Webster Simasiku reported us to the director Nelson Prada that we did not attend the meeting he scheduled for 8 September,” one of the aggrieved trainers – who preferred to remain anonymous – said.
Simasiku allegedly claimed that he verbally informed the instructors on or before 8 September about the meeting.
The trainers – initially a group of 15 - were then called into the director's office on Friday, 15 September.
While six only received verbal warnings, the other nine were charged with insubordination and given notice to appear at a disciplinary hearing on Thursday, 21 September, the group said.
"On 28 September, we got the feedback from the hearing, and the nine trainers were found
guilty and suspended with immediate effect,” the source said.
Allegations denied
Prada has denied allegations of unfair suspension and dismissal of the trainers.
He maintained that the Kayec Trust followed procedures in line with the Labour Act.
"Kayec Trust is committed to always complying with the provisions of the Namibian Labour Act, and urges the aggrieved employees to follow suit," he told Namibian Sun.
In 2016, Kayec reportedly fired 11 trainers after an illegal strike and for not reporting for duty. According to the source, this is cause for investigation into the centre’s practices.
Union to appeal
Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) secretary-general Mahongora Kavihua yesterday told Namibian Sun the union will appeal the dismissal and is confident the trainers will emerge victorious.
"We will end up at the labour commissioner's office if the institution does not rectify this. Not going to a meeting does not justify dismissing someone. Some of these trainers have been with Kayec for over nine years,” he said.
“It is unfortunate and we have not exhausted all internal remedies. We hope Kayec will reconsider its decision [and] appreciate the service of its trainers," Kavihua said.
The trainers have also called on the support of the higher education ministry as well as that of the National Training Authority.
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