Workers sue union over dismissal
News in short
Twenty-five former miners are suing the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN) after they were allegedly fired as a result of an illegal strike.
The aggrieved miners believe it was the responsibility of the MUN and its //Karas regional representative Elvis Bekele to inform them that their actions were illegal and could lead to their dismissal.
The group is demanding almost N$500 000 from the MUN and Bekele at 20% interest per year after the court case was brought.
According to court documents, the workers went on strike in December 2016 and were fired weeks later. As a result of their dismissal, they were also not entitled to their severance packages.
They were all apparently members of the trade union during the strike and therefore expected that the MUN would look after their legal and work interests.
The 25 workers believe that the amount equivalent to their severance packages is due to them from the MUN.
In a statement to the court, Bekele countered the miners' claim, saying they were advised in the presence of the MUN's deputy chairman for //Karas, Allen Kalumbu, and a representative of Scorpion Zinc, Petersen Kambinda, that their strike would be illegal.
The aggrieved miners believe it was the responsibility of the MUN and its //Karas regional representative Elvis Bekele to inform them that their actions were illegal and could lead to their dismissal.
The group is demanding almost N$500 000 from the MUN and Bekele at 20% interest per year after the court case was brought.
According to court documents, the workers went on strike in December 2016 and were fired weeks later. As a result of their dismissal, they were also not entitled to their severance packages.
They were all apparently members of the trade union during the strike and therefore expected that the MUN would look after their legal and work interests.
The 25 workers believe that the amount equivalent to their severance packages is due to them from the MUN.
In a statement to the court, Bekele countered the miners' claim, saying they were advised in the presence of the MUN's deputy chairman for //Karas, Allen Kalumbu, and a representative of Scorpion Zinc, Petersen Kambinda, that their strike would be illegal.
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