Bushbuckridge municipality ordered to pay employees over R500 000
Three employees say they were denied a fair chance to compete for a management position after their colleague was appointed.
The Bushbuckridge Local Municipality in Mpumalanga has been ordered to pay over R500 000 in compensation to three employees who were denied a fair opportunity to compete for an asset manager position. An arbitrator ruled that the municipality failed to advertise the position and follow proper recruitment procedures, prompting the employees to lodge an unfair labour practice complaint.
The employees, who had worked in the asset management unit, hoped to compete for the position after the previous manager retired in March last year. The arbitration award, seen by The Citizen, stated that the municipality must pay the compensation by 25 August, but as of now, the employees have not received the money. The municipality accused the employees of failing to comply with the arbitration award and threatened legal proceedings if the payment was not made within 48 hours.
The employees had written to the municipality's manager and chief financial officer, expressing frustration over the lack of a fair opportunity to compete for the position. They pointed to Section 10.3 of the municipality's recruitment policy, which requires positions for managers and senior managers to be advertised on the municipality's website and in local and national newspapers.
The municipality defended its recruitment process, stating that the appointment was to retain an employee with valuable skills and experience. They argued that the Basic Conditions of Employment Act allowed for better employment conditions in the interest of the municipality and its staff establishment.
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