Former Laurelton Managers Take Company to Court

(IDEX Online News) – Several managers of Laurelton Reign Diamonds, which closed in August, are taking their former employer to court, claiming that the way in which they were fired was against procedure.

According to The Namibian, the three managers of plant, logistics and production said they felt “disrespected and exploited” when they were told that the factory, a joint venture between Tiffany & Co. subsidiary Laurelton Diamonds and Reign Investment, was to close.

The three told the newspaper that they believed it was unfair of the company to keep its workers in the dark when making such a decision to close. “We feel highly exploited and disposable. They did not even give us a chance to save the company.”

Mine Workers Union branch organiser Sacky Simon reported that although the retrenchment agreement has been signed, workers have yet to receive their compensation.

“I cannot give many details but I can tell you that the agreement was not so bad, although not 100 percent what we wanted,” he told The Namibian. “I'm sure the workers will get their money before November,” said Simon.