EMPLOYEES at Commercial Investment Corporation (CIC) in Windhoek on Friday, protested alleged discrimination on the part of the company’s management.
Workers, led by the Namibian Food and Allied Workers Union (Nafau), delivered a petition to general manager Marcel Lambrecht, who is among those accused of unfair treatment of his employees. The petition calls for the immediate suspension of the company’s Operations Manager, Gunter Krauer, as well as the eradication of other alleged “discriminatory elements” at the company.Krauer, the workers claim, was unfairly protected by the company during a disciplinary hearing where he and another worker were charged with committing an offence.”One employee was suspended and why not Gunter Krauer, as they committed the same offence, however Fillimon (employee in question) was not under the influence of alcohol,” the petition reads.Workers spoken to said that both Krauer and the other employee had been reprimanded by the company after they hurled “foul-mouthed” insults at one another.Workers also expressed disappointment with the company allowing Krauer to be represented by a labour consultant during the hearing.Quoting from company policy, the petition read to Lambrecht stated that “You are entitled to be represented by a fellow employee, excluding legal or external representation.”Accepting the workers’ petition at the company’s gate, Lambrecht promised to a written reply to their demands by Wednesday, the date set by the workers as deadline for the company’s response.The petition calls for the immediate suspension of the company’s Operations Manager, Gunter Krauer, as well as the eradication of other alleged “discriminatory elements” at the company.Krauer, the workers claim, was unfairly protected by the company during a disciplinary hearing where he and another worker were charged with committing an offence.”One employee was suspended and why not Gunter Krauer, as they committed the same offence, however Fillimon (employee in question) was not under the influence of alcohol,” the petition reads.Workers spoken to said that both Krauer and the other employee had been reprimanded by the company after they hurled “foul-mouthed” insults at one another.Workers also expressed disappointment with the company allowing Krauer to be represented by a labour consultant during the hearing.Quoting from company policy, the petition read to Lambrecht stated that “You are entitled to be represented by a fellow employee, excluding legal or external representation.”Accepting the workers’ petition at the company’s gate, Lambrecht promised to a written reply to their demands by Wednesday, the date set by the workers as deadline for the company’s response.
