MATSAPHA: Gui Jin Yang, the Director of KOSWA(PTY) LTD has fired a female employee who was authorised by doctors to take two weeks-off from work after her pregnancy developed complications.
On 11th May 2021, Sindi Simelane was served with a letter informing her that her contract of employment will not be renewed, Simelane told this publication that she felt the Director decided to fire her for being off from work while being treated in hospital.
"I, Director of KOSWA(PTY) LTD hereby notifies you that there will be no further renewal of your (6) months contract that ends on the 31st May 2021 which were prior discussed with your manager in March, due to company performance and conduct. Monday will be your last day working for KOSWA\" read the letter in part.
When reached for comments Gui Jin Yang, the Director of the company referred questions to Lindiwe Dlamini, the company’smanager whom this publication could not reach for comments at the time of compiling this report.
Wander Mkhonza, the Secretary General of the Almagated Trade Union of Swaziland condemned the actions of the company and advised the affected worker to register a complaint with the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC).
“This is totally wrong, at this time and age, no worker should be fired for falling pregnant at work.The Director himself came from a woman’s womb, so why is he suggesting that life shouldn’t go on? We know that some pregnancies do have complications, we have been talking about these issues for so long. Now people will understand this better since even Princess Sikhanyiso, the Minister of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) also raised the same issues. We believe they will now listen since these issues have been raised by a high profile figure.This worker must approach the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC) to lodge a complaint so that the matter could be solved”, said the ATUSWA Secretary General.
Sindi Simelane