Maravi

BP workers ask Rupiah to ensure full benefits are paid

BP workers ask Rupiah to ensure full benefits are paid
By Speedwell Mupuchi in Kitwe
Fri 18 June 2010, 04:01 CAT

SOME BP workers have asked President Rupiah Banda to ensure that they are paid their full benefits once the company’s shares are sold. The workers also stated that those wishing to continue with the new owner of BP should do so on a new slate.

In a statement following BP general manager Fumu Mondoloka’s summary of employee situation, the workers urged President Banda to help save their benefits at BP Zambia because the company was allegedly using deceptive and cunning tactics on employees.

The workers stated that they were at the mercy of BP Zambia as the company had made it clear that there was no legal requirement to consult with employees or their representatives upon the sale of BP’s shares.

The workers also stated that according to their company management, there was no legal requirement to compel BP Zambia to pay workers their benefits at the point of sale before being re-employed by the new buyer on equivalent or better conditions prior to the sale.

“This means that workers have no choice of either being retrenched or choosing to continue with the new owners. This can result in workers finding themselves in the cold once they are forced to continue working for the new company,” feared the workers.

“We don’t want to be forced to be sold together with the company unilaterally against our will just because your (President Banda’s) government does not protect workers like us.”

Mondoloka, in his summary on June 13, 2010, acknowledged that many employees had raised questions regarding BP’s announcement of intention to sell 75 per cent interest in its associate, BP Zambia.

He stated that because BP intends to exit all its existing businesses in Zambia, the sale would take the form of sale of BP shares in BP Zambia.

“Many of you are understandably keen to know how the sale will affect you. A recurring theme is whether, under Zambian law, the sale will result in your retrenchment and (possible) rehire by the buyer of BP’s shareholding in the associate,” reads the summary.

Mondoloka asked employees to understand that the sale process had just started and was being managed by a specialist BP team with great experience in such matters.

He also noted that the sale process would take months to complete.

“It is important to understand two things: First, the sale process is confidential. It is necessary for the process to be confidential for many good reasons. Employees need to realize this and accept that they will not have any control or influence over the process. However, I will keep you informed of material developments in the sales process as and when they occur; secondly employees are an integral part of the business. BP values the contribution we have all made to the success of BP Zambia and I very much expect the buyer of BP’s shareholding in BP Zambia to do likewise,” stated Mondoloka.

“BP intends that after the sale completes, all employees will still have jobs with BP Zambia, and these jobs will be on the same terms and conditions as now.”

Labels: BP, FUMU MONDOLOKA, LABOUR, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 5:34 AM