B2Gold blames union for worker suspensions
B2Gold Namibia has laid the blame for the recent suspension of 200 employees at the door of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia (MUN), saying it mislead its members into a recent strike.
Several employees based at the company’s Otjikoto mine downed tools, challenging the validity of a continuous operation permit, which they said was not valid.
While the mineworkers involved in the strike have since returned to work, B2Gold chairperson Leake Hangala wasted no time denouncing their actions and that of the union.
According to him, the company had at all times upheld good corporate governance standards.
Always consistent
“We have always been consistent as a company. We have never made mistakes; we have valid documents; we talk to the people. We are very transparent. So, the question is what should they do so they don’t make mistakes and put the lives of so many people at risk,” he said.
Hangala claimed the union had apologised for the strike and acknowledged that B2Gold employees should have followed internal dispute mechanisms available to them.
“The MUN apologised for the behaviour of their members and further requested that the company consider lifting the suspension and allow the employees to return to work with a warning.”
Misinterpretation
MUN general secretary Ebben Zarondo was surprised when informed of the B2Gold press briefing, saying a joint media briefing was supposed to be held to shed light on the strike.
“I don’t know how come they had a briefing. I will consult the regional structures and come back to you.”
The labour ministry had earlier said B2Gold misinterpreted the Labour Act, leading to the dispute between its members and the mining company.
“It has become apparent, through statements published in the media, that MUN and B2Gold have misinterpreted the applicable provisions of the Labour Act. It is also apparent that their relations are deteriorating,” it said in a statement last week.
Several employees based at the company’s Otjikoto mine downed tools, challenging the validity of a continuous operation permit, which they said was not valid.
While the mineworkers involved in the strike have since returned to work, B2Gold chairperson Leake Hangala wasted no time denouncing their actions and that of the union.
According to him, the company had at all times upheld good corporate governance standards.
Always consistent
“We have always been consistent as a company. We have never made mistakes; we have valid documents; we talk to the people. We are very transparent. So, the question is what should they do so they don’t make mistakes and put the lives of so many people at risk,” he said.
Hangala claimed the union had apologised for the strike and acknowledged that B2Gold employees should have followed internal dispute mechanisms available to them.
“The MUN apologised for the behaviour of their members and further requested that the company consider lifting the suspension and allow the employees to return to work with a warning.”
Misinterpretation
MUN general secretary Ebben Zarondo was surprised when informed of the B2Gold press briefing, saying a joint media briefing was supposed to be held to shed light on the strike.
“I don’t know how come they had a briefing. I will consult the regional structures and come back to you.”
The labour ministry had earlier said B2Gold misinterpreted the Labour Act, leading to the dispute between its members and the mining company.
“It has become apparent, through statements published in the media, that MUN and B2Gold have misinterpreted the applicable provisions of the Labour Act. It is also apparent that their relations are deteriorating,” it said in a statement last week.
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