Rundu Private Hospital’s finances in ICU

Several retrenched Rundu Private Hospital workers have accused their former employer of delaying severance payments, while others say the severance payments they received are inadequate.

Meanwhile, workers who retained their jobs allege their salary payments have been delayed for months and are only paid in instalments.

The retrenchments, reportedly first initiated in mid-March, have left many former employees feeling vulnerable, prompting them to write a grievance letter to the hospital’s management to vent their frustrations.

“We are writing to bring to your attention a matter of great concern that affects the well-being and livelihood of a group of individuals within your organisation. As you are aware, recent economic challenges have led to the unfortunate decision of retrenching several employees from your company. The impact of this decision on the affected employees and their families cannot be understated," the letter, dated 22 April, reads.

"We have been an integral part of your team, contributing our skills, dedication and hard work to the success of your company. The sudden loss of our jobs has left most in a vulnerable position, with uncertainty about our financial stability, healthcare coverage, and career prospects."

The group urged hospital management to pay fair severance packages to ensure a smooth transition period for the affected employees.

The group also appealed for assistance from the nation at large “in eradicating the racist culture in Rundu Private Hospital."

Painful job loss

Emely Mbuto (31), a retrenched care worker, told Namibian Sun: "I remember the day I received a call to come in to see the manager. When I arrived, I got a letter already printed for me to sign, and just like that, I was retrenched. Apparently, there was no money to pay us. To my surprise, I also realised that it was most care workers who got as little as N$2 866.90 who got retrenched.”

She added: "Being retrenched is a painful pinch. I wasn’t prepared for this and the worst part is that I have my children in the hostel. I’m responsible for their payment and I honestly don’t know what to do any more. I wish there was another way I could fix this or at least find a job. The situation I am in right now is painful. I feel like this retrenchment process was not fair at all."

Internal matter

The hospital has also been accused of alleged salary discrepancies by remaining employees. According to Rundu community activist Frans Moyo, employees reported that they have allegedly not received their full salaries since the end of January, leading to increased financial stress and uncertainty.

"It's not just about losing jobs; employees are struggling to meet their basic needs because they have been paid inconsistently for months,” he said.

In an email authored by the hospital’s management addressed to Moyo and seen by this publication, the hospital wrote: “We take note of your request to meet, however, we would not be able to discuss internal labour matters with you at this time."

The letter stated that "employees are fully aware of the current status of the company and internal processes are available to them that they have not made use of. Please inform the few employees who approached you to make use of those internal processes, and we will address it between the employer and employee.”

By the time of going to print, the hospital's management had not responded to a request to comment on the matter.

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