The Penden Cement Authority Limited (PCAL) in Gomtu, Samtse, has terminated the employment of four security guards after a WeChat group conversation controversy in March this year. In the group conversation, the security guards had raised their voice against the management’s decision to stop their overtime allowance and morning breakfast timing. The four security guards now plan to take up the matter with the Samtse District Court.
While the four-affected security guards cry foul, the company is adamant that all due diligence has been given and that there are no other options.
In the WeChat group conversation held towards the end of last year, the security guards bemoaned the management’s decision and talked of resolving the issue at the earliest. A talk of bloodshed was also mentioned along with the chief executive officer’s (CEO) name, and other accusations. Incidentally, one of the guards in the group made audio files of the conversation and gave it to the CEO.
The guards were reprimanded and a joint statement was signed where they apologized for their mistake. A few days later, an office order was issued withholding three annual graded increments and one cycle promotion of the security guards involved. Two were given orders to be transferred to Penden Cement’s mine.
After an appeal to the order, the management waived off the withholding of three annual increments and asked two among the four to volunteer to be posted at the mine site, which they did not do. The management then issued a final confidential memo warning them of termination if company orders are not followed within the given time. The security guards did not report to their new station, and on March 11, this year, all four were compulsorily retired with post-retirement benefits.
The four then approached the prime minister through the grievance redressal system. The Cabinet Secretariat then directed the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources (MoHLR) to investigate the matter. After the completion of the investigation, the Cabinet Secretariat was reported that the disciplinary actions were taken as per the PCAL’s company rules and regulations. However, despite not being in a position to issue an executive order requested the PCAL management to reconsider the actions taken on humanitarian grounds.
However, the company stood firm on their decision.
