THE Commission for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA) will on Thursday start hearing petition filed by the employees of Uchumi Supermarkets chain over their unpaid dues running into millions due to its closure.
Labour and Employment Ministry
spokesperson Ridhiwani Wema said in Dar es Salaam that the case will be
up for mediation following closure of the supermarkets’ operations in
the country due to financial problems.
He said the case will come for hearing
after employees followed up laid down labour laws. The sought mediation
will enable the workers to know their fate.
The Deputy Commissioner for Labour in
the Ministry, Ms Rehema Moyo, said the Kenya-owned supermarket chain
failed to go on with its operations in the country, plunging the workers
into a state of certainty after going without salaries as well as not
knowing the fate of their termination benefits.
“After the chain failed to continue with
their business in the country, applicable labour laws should have taken
their course for the benefit of both parties,’’ she observed.
Ms Moyo added that Uchumi Supermarkets
were supposed to conduct consultations with trade union leaders before
their decision to cease operations, which was not done, necessitating a
labour dispute, she further observed.
She said it was through consultation
with trade union leaders that they would have reached an agreement on
how to handle the whole issue before the termination of the workers’
employment contracts.
She underscored the need for employees
to observe labour laws and regulations, saying the majority of the
boycotts staged in the country were illegal as they did not follow laid
down procedures.
She pledged that her ministry will take
all necessary measures to ensure that both employers and employees are
educated on labour laws and how to go about them when pursuing their
rights.
Uchumi Supermarkets Chains have been
operating in the country for two years and had six outlets before
closing its operations last month. Over 400 employees and suppliers in
the country have entered into dispute with the firm’s management over
unpaid claims.
The then Labour and Employment Minister,
Ms Gaudencia Kabaka, said the government would issue its statement
while a way forward would be pursued after getting details on the
situation.
As the responsible ministry, she had
said, they were pursuing the matter to ensure the rights of employees
and others are protected in accordance with their contracts and other
terms of employment.
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