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TimesLIVE reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has accused BMW SA of using an investigation into allegations that some employees have defrauded the BMW Employees Medical Aid Scheme to effect the mass dismissal of workers.
The union alleged this was to avoid a formal retrenchment process with payment of severance pay. Some workers at BMW’s Rosslyn plant in Pretoria took part in a protest on Monday, alleging that there were mass dismissals at the company. However, BMW denied its employees were on strike and that it was looking to cut jobs. “The rumours of workforce reduction to cut a shift are untrue and should there be any termination of an associate’s contract due to the investigation we will recruit and upskill new associates, ensuring business continuity,” the vehicle manufacturer said on Monday Noting the situation at BMW relating to the suspension and dismissal of a number of workers alleged to have been involved in fraudulent activities, the union said on Tuesday it did not condone criminal activity. General Secretary Irvin Jim said of concern was that it appeared BMW had been aware of these irregularities since 2019 and did not take action, but “apparently now uses this issue to effect the mass dismissal of workers to avoid a formal retrenchment process with payment of severance pay”. He called on the senior leadership of Numsa and BMW to be prepared to meet and discuss these matters, including reaching a solution.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE
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