Moshim Khan, the special administrator of Ba Town Council, has strongly denied accusations of intimidation and interference by the council’s workers. The workers had initiated a strike, citing reasons such as unauthorized salary deductions and unfulfilled promises of a 10% pay raise during Khan’s tenure as the acting CEO.
In a statement, Khan refuted the allegations, asserting that there was no evidence to support the claims made by the workers. He noted the absence of prior complaints regarding these issues and emphasized that the strike was unexpected, as neither the union nor the workers provided a notification.
Khan indicated that the underlying reasons for the protest could be traced to his previous directive concerning the use of council facilities for union meetings. He insisted that the union’s requests for free access to these venues and paid time off for meeting attendance were not compliant with labor regulations.
Moreover, Khan explained that an earlier proposal for salary increases was refused by the union, adding that he intended to back-pay workers starting January 1, 2025, contingent on union authorization. Memorandum evidence was cited to support his claims about the union’s stance, which he described as a conflict with their demands during the strike.
In light of the situation, Local Government Minister Maciu Nalumisa appointed Manjula Devi as the new acting CEO, reaffirming that proactive leadership could streamline operations and address worker grievances effectively. After Devi’s appointment, there were indications that the workers would resume their duties, marking a hopeful step towards resolving the current tensions within the council.
This evolving situation at the Ba Town Council underscores the critical importance of transparent communication and cooperative relationships between management and employees. The appointment of a new acting CEO reflects a commitment to enhancing workplace dynamics, with the potential for improved service delivery and working conditions in the future. It remains hopeful that these changes will foster a more collaborative and effective governance model for the Ba community.
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