Maranyane Ngwanaamotho
5 November 2009
There are allegations that Gaborone Private Hospital (GPH) will retrench employees in the near future. Sources at the hospital said that the management called a meeting last week during which employees were served with notice letters.
The employees complain that they have not been consulted about the issue. It is reported that the management told the staff during the meeting that GPH is threatened by Bokamoso Private Hospital, which is to open in the near future. "They admitted that they are scared that Bokamoso Hospital is going to be a strong competitor with new buildings, technology and improved services," the source said.
She expressed disappointment and frustration about GPH saying that the hospital should not be scared of competition to the point of ill-treating employees to cut costs. "I don't know why they are scared of the hospital that hasn't opened yet. They are just being cowards," she said. It is alleged that about 15 employees will be retrenched by GPH.
Nurses, secretaries, finance staff and porters are the targeted group. It is said the hospital suggested that the staff should join a security company operating within its premises. "We feel completely ridiculed and undermined by the management of this hospital," one of the affected employees said. She said employees of GPH have a union, which is trying to talk with the management, though the hospital refuses to recognise it.
"They are even refusing to pay us. It is wrong," the source said.
However, the hospital manager, Eugene Serreira, said that though a final decision has not been made, they are considering the retrenchment of some workers. He said the workers have been informed that there will be retrenchments. He said this is due to the fact that another big private hospital will be opening soon and their businesses will definitely be affected. Serreira denied allegations that it was suggested that workers could join a scooters or a security company operating at GPH. He acknowledged that they suggested ways in which the affected workers could be utilised by other companies.
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