News / National
Retrenched employee remains on the firm's payroll for 13 years
27 Nov 2011 at 22:05hrs | Views
A former British American Tobacco (BAT) employee who was illegally retrenched in 1998 has just discovered that 13 years later he still remained on the firm's payroll.
Mr Musekiwa Uta Chanyera's file of employment with the company is still open and it appears that someone is collecting his salary monthly.
His efforts to claim benefits from the National Social Security Authority have been in vain as he was told that according to records, he was still gainfully employed by BAT and his contributions still being paid up.
Mr Chanyera joined BAT in 1971. Sometime in 1998, the company merged with Rothmans, which led to most workers being retrenched.
The then production manager Mr Mike Masuku announced the retrenchment to the workers, and they were given retrenchment forms to complete.
However, Mr Chanyera was not given a form and he inquired the anomaly from Mr Masuku, who said he would get them later.
The retrenched workers were later given their pensions, including one-year's salary and other benefits, but Mr Chanyera was overlooked.
He then inquired from Mr Masuku who said his package was still being processed and advised to continue making follow ups.
Mr Chanyera then went to the pay administrator - a Mr Mubaya - who advised him to inquire the status of his retrenchment at the Retrenchment Board offices and NSSA.
He was told at the RB offices that his name was not among the list of BAT workers who were retrenched.
Mr Chanyera then went to NSSA and was again told that his name was not on the list supplied by BAT of the workers who were retrenched.
NSSA confirmed to him that they were still receiving his contributions as an employee of BAT.
From 2003 to date, he has been checking with NSSA officials who still confirm receiving his contribution from BAT.
In 2009, Mr Chanyera made another follow up with BAT and was attended to by Mr Charles Mushore who confirmed to him that he was still on the BAT payroll.
He was surprised to learn that someone was collecting his salary since 1998 to date.
Mr Chanyera said yesterday that he had nearly exhausted all channels of trying to receive his pension, benefits and NSSA contribution.
"There is definitely a ghost worker using my name at BAT who is still collecting my salary.
"As a result, I am suffering prejudice of my pension and I wonder if there is any justice in this world," lamented Mr Chanyera.
Mr Musekiwa Uta Chanyera's file of employment with the company is still open and it appears that someone is collecting his salary monthly.
His efforts to claim benefits from the National Social Security Authority have been in vain as he was told that according to records, he was still gainfully employed by BAT and his contributions still being paid up.
Mr Chanyera joined BAT in 1971. Sometime in 1998, the company merged with Rothmans, which led to most workers being retrenched.
The then production manager Mr Mike Masuku announced the retrenchment to the workers, and they were given retrenchment forms to complete.
However, Mr Chanyera was not given a form and he inquired the anomaly from Mr Masuku, who said he would get them later.
The retrenched workers were later given their pensions, including one-year's salary and other benefits, but Mr Chanyera was overlooked.
He then inquired from Mr Masuku who said his package was still being processed and advised to continue making follow ups.
Mr Chanyera then went to the pay administrator - a Mr Mubaya - who advised him to inquire the status of his retrenchment at the Retrenchment Board offices and NSSA.
He was told at the RB offices that his name was not among the list of BAT workers who were retrenched.
Mr Chanyera then went to NSSA and was again told that his name was not on the list supplied by BAT of the workers who were retrenched.
NSSA confirmed to him that they were still receiving his contributions as an employee of BAT.
From 2003 to date, he has been checking with NSSA officials who still confirm receiving his contribution from BAT.
In 2009, Mr Chanyera made another follow up with BAT and was attended to by Mr Charles Mushore who confirmed to him that he was still on the BAT payroll.
He was surprised to learn that someone was collecting his salary since 1998 to date.
Mr Chanyera said yesterday that he had nearly exhausted all channels of trying to receive his pension, benefits and NSSA contribution.
"There is definitely a ghost worker using my name at BAT who is still collecting my salary.
"As a result, I am suffering prejudice of my pension and I wonder if there is any justice in this world," lamented Mr Chanyera.
Source - TH
