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BP workers at logger-heads with...
2008-05-12 09:38:28
By Perege Gumbo
The British Petroleum (BP) Tanzania Ltd management is reportedly at logger-heads with the firm`s workers over a downsizing exercise that is under way at the oil company.
Well placed sources within the company have said in separate interviews that the controversy emanates from the management`s unilateral decision to force the workers to sign forms choosing between continuing with work or being retrenched before an agreement with the workers` trade union representatives was consulted.
Employment and Labour Relations Act of 2004 stipulates that the employer and workers` trade union with majority members at a work place should engage in collective bargaining and reach an agreement first before a rightsizing exercise is implemented.
When contacted by `The Guardian` for clarification, the BP board Deputy Chairperson, Dr Joyce Singano, acknowledged presence of the exercise, but declined to explain on the number of workers that would be affected.
She said that the process was still underway adding that an official statement would be issued after the entire process was over.
For his part, the Tanzania Union for Industries and Commercial Workers (TUICO) secretary-BP branch, Methew Gilaita, also confirmed in a telephone interview on the presence of the exercise, but declined to give details.
At the heart of the matter is the controversy on which of the workers' trade union was the legal representative of workers since the management allegedly refused to recognise TUICO, as the exclusive bargaining agent of the employees claiming that it did not represent majority of the same.
Sources further said the workers were being given today, as deadline to fill in the forms, the deadline workers have vowed to continue defying.
BP Tanzania Ltd is jointly owned by the government of Tanzania by 50 per cent shares while the remaining 50 per cent is owned by British Petroleum.
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