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Mbowen Clinic faces D750,000 claim

Jul 25, 2014, 10:18 AM | Article By: Dawda Faye

Massembeh Marenah, Fatou Njie, Kawsu Jallow, Fanta Saho, Amie Sarr, Galajo Bah, Nka Kanyi, Veronica Jarju, Sainabou Jatta, Binta Jatta and Adama Samba, all former employees of Mbowen Clinic, sued their former employer at the Kanifing Industrial Tribunal, claiming D750,000 for unlawful termination.

Lawyer Edward Singhateh, who was representing the defendant, denied liability.

Magistrate Jabang presided over the case when it was mentioned on 21 July 2014.

The plaintiffs also claimed breach of renewed annual employment contract resulting in loss of earnings and social protection, such as social security scheme and loss of job opportunities, unpaid salary for March 2014.

They also claimed interest at the rate of 25 per cent per annum from the date of unlawful termination to the date of judgement, and thereafter 4 per cent to date of payment and costs.

The plaintiff claimed they were at all material time employees of the defendant.

They claimed they had never been subjected to any disciplinary actions such as suspension or interdiction due to any form of financial embarrassment or even given warning letters for any wrongful acts during the course of their contract of employment for the past years while working for the defendant.

The plaintiffs said in their claim that the defendant failed to pay heed to the statutory obligation such as the contribution towards social provident fund and injury compensation.

They further claimed that the defendant is in breach of the said annual renewal contracts of employment since 2009.

The plaintiffs claimed the defendant is in breach of the said fixed annual employment contract renewed from 1 January to 31 December 2014, and the Labour Act of 2007 and has not followed the procedure of terminating the contracts of the plaintiffs.

They claimed the defendant, in breach of the said principles of natural justice, did not accord the plaintiffs a fair hearing.

The case was adjourned till 5 August 2014, for hearing.