B2Gold mineworkers demonstrate over unfair labour practices

OTAVI, 21 SEP  – Nearly 400 workers of the Otjikoto B2Gold Mine Namibia near Otavi in the Otjozondjupa Region on Friday staged a peaceful demonstration at the mine over unfair labour practices, victimisation and unprocedural disciplinary actions.
The workers, under the guidance of the Mineworkers Union of Namibia Otjiwarongo Branch, demonstrated at about 06h30 before resuming their duties.
In their petition the aggrieved workers called on the company to always be fair, transparent and consistent towards employees.
Workers accused management of failing to exercise company policies and procedures fairly when in labour disputes with workers.
“Insults from the management go unpunished; we have a branch executive member on suspension for so called WhatsApp comments,” read the petition.
They further alleged that the management appointed a lawyer to represent one employee during a labour case, while others were left to battle it on their own.
Among other complaints, workers claim some managers are allowed to drive company vehicles after working hours, while others at the same level and assigned similar duties are not allowed to operate any company vehicle after hours.
The petition further states that some managers were found to be under the influence of alcohol on duty, which is prohibited, but nothing was done to discipline these senior employees.
Otjikoto B2Gold Mine Acting General Manager, Eric Barnard received the petition on Friday, without saying a word.
Managing Director and Country Manager of the Otjikoto B2Gold Mine Namibia, Mark Dawe in a telephonic interview with Nampa on Friday said they received their complaints.
“We will attend to them accordingly, and we are also willing to continue negotiating with them,” said Dawe.

NAMPA