2008-07-09Staff Report 2 "By John Ekongo WINDHOEK The inevitable has happened, and as of yesterday 153 employees of the LLD Diamond and Polishing Company were without jobs, after the company fired them. Managing Director of LLD Diamonds Namibia, Kombadeyedu Kapwanga, confirmed the dismissals to New Era yesterday. ""Yes, they are fired but the channels are still open, to appeal the decision of the company,"" revealed Kapwanga. The workers were issued with a notice of a disciplinary hearing by the messenger of the court through their representatives of the Mine Workers Union of Namibia (MUN) on Monday. The company fast-tracked the hearing of the 153 last week Thursday and Friday, and on Monday had them informed that they were no longer employees of the diamond polishing company. The firing stemmed from an illegal strike that the workers undertook since June 19. They cited unfair labour treatment and hostile working relations as among the reasons for their action. The workers, who had been camping a few meters away from the company premises, have not indicated whether they would appeal the decision or not. Again MUN Secretary General Bro Joseph Hengari was said to be engaged in a meeting for the remaining part of the afternoon, with the Branch Executive Committee (BEC) at the company about the way forward. " 2008-07-09Staff Report 2
