Improve working conditions, minister tells Salima Sugar

By Wezzie Gausi:

Trade Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda has asked Salima Sugar Company to improve people’s working conditions.

He said some employees at the company have informed him that they are not satisfied with working conditions.

“For example, I have learned that some bosses use abusive language. This is sad and we have engaged the company’s management to address workers’ concerns,” he said.

One of the employees confided in The Daily Times that they have been working without working conditions since the company was established.

“In addition, we are underpaid and work overtime without compensation,” the employee said.

Meanwhile, Salima Sugar Company Secretary Charles Thupi has said the company takes things to do with staff welfare seriously.

“As I am speaking, the company has already drafted work conditions for all staff,” Thupi said.

Recently, the Green Belt Authority (GBA) took over the mandate of overseeing operations of Salima Sugar Company as per agreement.

This comes at a time shareholding in the company has been revisited, with GBA having 49 percent shares and Salima Sugar Company having 51 percent shares.

However, former chairperson Shirieesh Betgiri, through his legal counsel, took an injunction against the new board.