Mine workers advised they were sacked because of ‘illegal stop work’

THE workers of Ok Tedi Mining Ltd sacked on Tuesday were advised in their termination letters that they had taken part in an “illegal stop work”. A copy of the letter obtained by The National yesterday dated Feb 20, 2018, read: “This letter is to inform you that you had participated in an illegal stop work and was absent from duties on Tuesday 20th of February 2018.
“As stipulated in our Terms and Conditions of your employment ‘employees resorting to withdrawing their labour or restricting other employees from working will have their employment terminated’.
“There will be no recourse to appeal. The company is therefore terminating your services effective immediately and you will be advised of your repatriation arrangements.”
The letter was signed by the manager mine maintenance and endorsed by acting manager human resources John Kalu. It was copied to Susan Songoa, the senior workplace relations adviser, and Harold Duigu, the manager human resources.