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IMPACT |
stop! thief! |
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Six months ago, driver Abel Thoane got the surprise of
his life when his employer suddenly fired him. When Abel asked him why, he accused him of stealing his `stuff'. For years, Abel had woken in the middle of the night, so he could get produce from Stellenbosch to Laingsburg by breakfast time. Now, without any explanation, he was told to go. The insult only deepened when he went to collect his money. It was R350 short! For months he had been disputing an alleged loan, for which the farmer had been deducting R50 per month from his salary. But Abel had never borrowed any money from the farmer, and there was no proof of the loan, yet he had to leave without it. He was also not given his UIF card, or any provident fund benefits. There was no other solution but to get legal advice. The lawyer was reassuring. "Don't worry. We'll make a plan," and he promised Abel that he would have the matter sorted out in no time. Abel is still waiting for a resolution six months later. Not even the union was prepared to take up his case, though he had been paying his dues for many years. Abel went together with the shop steward to confront the farm manager and demand that they give him his UIF card, and sign the papers relating to his provident fund contributions. The manager refused, and the shop steward sent Abel to the UIF office. From there, he passes the next few weeks spending money on taxis and trains. He was sent from Cape Town, to Parow, to Bellville and back again. Abel was getting very worried. He is the proud father of eight, five of whom have already achieved university degrees or diplomas, he still wants the younger ones to have a higher education. One day he talked to a friend about his problems. "Why don't you go and see the man around the corner, at the church?" she asked. She indicated the QPC office. "I don't even know about them," he replied. But he took all his papers and went. He was a desperate man and would see anyone who could help him. Immediately, wheels started turning as faxes were sent to the ex-employer, demanding the paper work for the unemployment insurance fund, provident fund and the alleged loan. They also claimed that he was dismissed unfairly, and started communicating with the National Employers' Forum, asking that matters be resolved. Abel has agreed to return to work provided he gets paid out for all the time he has been without a job. Abel feels as if the employer has robbed him of his money and six months of his life. The NEF is optimistic that their negotiations with his ex-employer will be successful. |
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