Admarc withholds manager’s benefits
The Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) is yet to pay benefits to its former director of operations Ganent Gwembere and other staff members, two months after the corporation retrenched staff.
Gwembere confirmed the development Monday, saying he has since written the Human Resources and Administration office three times on the matter.
He said, twice, his letters were not responded to but, eventually, he got communication that he needs to pay for the laptop that he got.
“So, they responded to say I should pay some money for the laptop. They said I should pay that money if I want to get my money, which was not making sense because the money they want me to pay is very little compared to the money they are withholding. Common sense would dictate that they would simply have said ‘Mr Gwembere, we have subtracted so much for the laptop’ and if I had issues I would have gone to them,” he said.
Gwembere said he was not the only one in this predicament, saying former general manager Rhino Chiphiko only got his benefits about a week ago.
“I do not know why they were holding on to his benefits but I am told he was given his benefits at the end of March, if I am not mistaken,” he said.
In an interview Monday Chiphiko, confirmed the development, saying he knows of several others who have not been paid but that he eventually got all his benefits.
“I got all my benefits; that is all I can say. I do not know the reasons for the delay but, as you know, Admarc has been struggling because, with the skeleton staff after some were retrenched, some have not been paid until now. So, months later, they have been having problems,” he said.
Admarc Head of Human Resource and Administration Ethel Umali Zilirakhasu refused to comment on Gwembere’s issue but was quick to say those without any issues received their benefits while those with issues are getting their monies after the issues are sorted out.
“Let me not comment on the Gwembere case. But people got their benefits. What has not been given out is pension and the person who can ably answer this is the Secretary to Treasury because this is where the money came from. For those that have not received [benefits], it means there are issues.,
“So, once we resolve the issues, we are giving people their money,” she said.
Last week, the Agriculture and Natural Resources Cluster of Parliament said Admarc needs about K123.3 billion to enable it to effectively perform its functions this year.
