MBABANE:Muzi Siyaya, the Managing Director of the Ubombo Sugar Limited has clarified that, the company is not in any way controlled by Tibiyo TakaNgwane investment company.
Reacting to an article published by this Swaziland News earlier on Wednesday about companies allegedly linked to the King and underpaying workers, the Managing Director confirmed that Tibiyo TakaNgwane “holds shares at Ubombo Sugar Limited but clarified that, the royal linked investment entity never interfered in the operations of the sugar company”.
The Managing Director said the company has a good shareholding relationship with Tibiyo but, when it comes to operations, Ubombo Sugar Limited subscribes to global standards in terms of taking care of workers.
“Ubombo Sugar Limited(Illovo) is a reputable international company listed in the London Stock Exchange, we are paying and taking care of employees in accordance with the company’s global standards. Our employees receive accomodation and free food, they have Medical Aid and other benefits. We provide each junior employee free food worth R3000.00 every week, that’s R12,000.00 per-month plus accommodation. This company is a reputable brand and we need to clarify that, even though Tibiyo TakaNgwane is a shareholder, the company is controlled by the global parent entity and it could be a serious issue if we could be seen violating workers rights. We are one of the best paying companies in the country,” said the Ubombo Sugar Limited Managing Director.
The Managing Director further said even though it was clarified in the article that, not all the companies linked to Tibiyo TakaNgwane underpay employees but, he felt this must be clarified in protection of the company’s reputable brand. He said other employees receive base-pay above minimum wage stipulations for both industrial and agriculture.
But a list of benefits sent to this publication by the Office of the Managing Director further suggest that, the sugar company “provides annual Christmas bonus, education allowance at all levels(except EXCO) and a school transport for dependents”.
Transportation allowance is also provided at manager level and this includes holiday allowance, standby allowance and callout allowance.
Other benefits include shift allowance, medical cover- health care scheme, dental and optical.
Ubombo Sugar Limited workers are also entitled to long service pay after working for five(5)years, ten(10)years, fifteen(15)years and over twenty(20)years.
Ubombo Sugar Limited Managing Director Muzi Siyaya(pic:REPS).