MEDIA RELEASE - CEDA IN CHAOS AS MOLALE SAGA BITES- A REBUTTAL BY CEDAEU

MEDIA RELEASE

CEDA IN CHAOS AS MOLALE SAGA BITES- A REBUTTAL BY CEDAEU

10 OCTOBER 2017

The CEDA Employees Union (CEDAEU) would like to unequivocally rebut statements made on The Business Weekly & Review newspaper dated Friday 06^th October 2017 which read thus;“The CEDAEU accuses CEDA of keeping it away from the research that led to the report and keeping the Deloitte report away from it while using it as the basis for the summary dismissals of CEDA staff.” The article further says: “Attempts by Union leaders to get access to the controversial report were rebuffed by CEO Thabo Thamane”.

1.     We would like to highlight that CEDA Management has recognized the Union since 2004 to date. The harmonious relationship to date between CEDA Employees Union and CEDA Management punctuated by consultation and an engagement approach is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding from which there is an established Joint Negotiation Committee (JNC) chaired by the CEO of CEDA Thabo Thamane.

2.     The Joint Negotiation Committee is a structure through which the two (2) parties; Employer and Employee meet to negotiate and consult on all matters concerning employees’ conditions of service, as well as resolving disputes arising from the said negotiations and consultations.

3.     It is from the above that we would like to put it on record that CEDA Management has engaged the Union on one of the 23 Business Model Review Recommendations,   namely the review of three departments; Risk Management, Research and Product Development and Strategy & Projects..

4.     We have had a number of meetings where we deliberated extensively on the matter. The meetings began in 2016,  notable dates being 17^th November 2016, 17^th February 2017, 18^th April 2017 and finally 21^st June 2017.

5.     CEDAEU has not yet requested for the report on the Business Model Review that was conducted by Deloitte. The statement is misleading and factually incorrect since the paper did not seek audience with the Union leadership to get their side of the story on the matter.

6.     As a matter of fact, it was agreed in a meeting between the Union and the CEO Mr. Thabo Thamane on the 18^th April 2017,the 23 Recommendations of the Business Review Model exercise continue to be shared with both Union and Staff in a systematic manner, contrary to what is reported by the newspaper article that he has “rebuffed attempts by the Union leaders to get access to the report” 

7.     Furthermore, we would like to highlight that the Business Model Review exercise was conceptualized and instituted by CEDA Management in 2016. The process was consultative and was shared with general staff. Management through its positive employee engagement had sought feedback from employees on the relevance of CEDA in view of the current challenges in the economic landscape.

8.     We wish to state categorically that at CEDA, Management has engaged the Union in almost all vital aspects of business and including the development of the CEDA Corporate Strategy just to mention a few.  As CEDAEU we believe that the  Business Model Review has been in line with the CEDA Corporate strategy. It is very regrettable that the Business Weekly and Review newspaper seeks to destroy the positive relationship cultivated over time with Management under the Leadership of Mr. Thabo Thamane who together with his Exco team has been a source of strength and support for the Union since inception.

9. Just to give notable examples of  this  positive relationship includes amongst others the following:

a.     Training of CEDA Union members in Namibia, all-expenses paid for by CEDA during the formative years of the union;

b.     Promotion of Union members on merit to higher positions within CEDA;

c.     Training and development of staff towards attainment of Diplomas, Degrees and Masters Degrees at recognized Tertiaries  including  work attachments in other DFIs in partnering  countries in future;

d.     Salary adjustments by CEDA to staff as per agreement since 2011 to date;

e.     Management especially the CEO attending Union forums when requested;

f.       Cordial and Productive discussions between CEDA Union and Management which continue to strengthen.

10. We would like to also highlight that the unfortunate departure from the employ of CEDA by some of our colleagues cannot logically be   linked to Honorable Minister Molale.

11. This is due to the fact that the Business Model Review was initiated and embarked on in 2016, while the stories on Honorable Minister Molale by the same newspaper started two (2) or so months ago this year (2017). Therefore, there is no how the new structure is a result of the revelations of anyone other than the recommendations of the Business Model Review to restructure and optimize certain departments.

12. On another note, as the CEDA Union, we condemn any act by any CEDA employee to leak information that came into their possession by virtue of their employ.  We believe that this is an act of unprofessionalism, which is inconsistent with the CEDA values and Union values that we subscribed to when we sought employment from the Agency. Therefore, as a Union, we will support Management in making sure that unscrupulous elements who commit such deeds are subjected to the CEDA Conditions of Service, which all employees agreed to abide by. As a Union, we will not represent any member who transgresses conditions that have been designed to improve our overall welfare.

13. We therefore implore that the Business Weekly and Review newspaper to be honorable in making sure that there is truthful reporting as is required by their profession.

Notes:

CEDA Employees Union (CEDAEU) was formerly registered as a Trade Union at the Registrar of Trade Unions in April 2004 in accordance with section 48 of the Trade Unions and Employers Organisations Act (TUEOA).The Union represents certain cadres within the Bargaining Unity within the Agency (CEDA) who are eligible for Union Membership in accordance with Section 6.1 of the Trade Unions and Employer’s Organization Act CAP 48.01 and the CEDA Conditions of service.

Ends..

_______________________

Oupa Sabata

CEDAEU- President

For further details regarding this Media Release kindly contact:

Mr. Oupa Sabata,

CEDA Employees Union - President

Tel: +267 241 2775

Cell: +267 7232 8990

Email: osabata@ceda.co.bw