"They said we we are trying to damage the company's name and reveal the company's secrets," said a desperate Tororo Cement employee who called me late this afternoon.
Okolong Gabriel, the injurned man who featured in my article (see previous post), was taken into managment's office, threatened, and forced to reveal the names of the workers who took me to his home.
All of them might lose their jobs.
"I don’t think I’ve threatened the workers. I cannot do anything in terms of that report," said Mwambu Wodulo, the Personnel Manager quoted in the article when I called him and brought the threats to his attention.
My next step was to call the Minister of Labor, Syda Bbuma. I alerted her of the situation. "People cannot be fired without excuse," she said. "If it’s not within the law, the workers are free to take recourse. They can take them to court, they can go through a union, there are a number of channels."
Somehow, I don't have so much faith in those channels.
Tomorrow, I'll call the Federation of Ugandan Employers (it's too late tonight - it's already 7 pm), call back the managment at Tororo Cement, start writing about article about the threats, and do all I can to see these workers don't lose their jobs because they spoke with me.
If you have any comments or recommendations for what I should do (I'm a rookie, after all), please let me know.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
TORORO CEMENT WORKERS THREATENED OVER DAILY MONITOR ARTICLE
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87 comments:
huh...another sad turn of events in a single day! and, unfortunately, it happens all so often (try to google tristar and uganda). all very often employees must choose between the pay check (job) or no paycheck (sacked).
unfortunately, the poorly equipped labor office is usually under the control of such factories.
a) write the story. one just hopes that when you write this follow-up, and i hope the monitor publishes it prominently (it's too good a story not to be on the front page) -- but one never knows how much influence such a big advertiser will bring to bare --- public pressure will make the factory review its decision. you've got to write the story -- and hope that monitor would publish it.
b) call at least four workers Members of Parliament. (that builds up the pressure, if at least one of them raises it in the house).//
I should tell you I am LOVING this. This is what you should be doing. I'm no pro on how things go down, but the exposure here is a primarily-important thing. I am yet to scroll down to the article, but ... this already looks awful enough. Don't just call the Labour whatevers. Call an MP (the opposition ones like to be seen on TV pretending to be more-passionate about people than the `ruling clique') and ask them to raise the matter. If you tell them you'll follow up on their response, you have it clinched. If they don't raise it, write in the papers that they are unfeeling idiots. :oD
Gack. Lemme run off, now. The story down there.
Presumably you have your own press contacts, but I happen to know--pretty well--a guy who's fairly high up with the CBC in Toronto. Maybe some coverage back home would make it a PR issue for TC to provide safety equipment and make it politically dangerous for them to try to retaliate against their employees?
First of all, thank you all for your comments and suggestions. It's nice to know that people are reading and that they care and that they want me to keep doing what I'm doing.
So, my plan for now: keep working on the story.
The TC workers have been calling me every twenty minutes with updates (they're very concerned for their jobs) so I can write a pretty detailed article. I plan to get in touch with all of said people and try and cause a fuss to TC's hands are tied.
I guess this is just my first does of "heavy consequences" journalism.
In a way, it feels good, becuase it means my writing is being read and having an effect and doing something.
I would only be a bad journalist if I didn't follow up on the situation.
I do plan to do everything in my power to make sure these guys don't loose their jobs.
Thank you all for your support.
Scarlett (GG)
Journalism.. by negative reportings.. givs fame and interesting reading.. but also have to look for the consequences....to the many stackholders.... I am not defending tororo cement or any industry.. but we shouldnot forget the contribution to the society by such industries.
Of course, these industries make contributions to society. I don't doubt it. But the question remains, at what cost? And, could they make contributions to society without such a high cost?
Also, I feel that many people constantly praise industry's contribution to society and very few people serve as industry's watch dog. That's where I come in.
The question again remains, at what cost?
Scalett
negative reporting? huh?...looks like some apologist has picked interest in your blog. obviously, this one would rather bad news, even when it's of public interest, is okay only when it's left unwritten. but, hey, at least, he/she - most likely a he - is reading. diverse readership=good. congratulations!//
I have a decade long business relation with this multi-national company. This company has always taken care of its employees through their HR department. When they can spend millions on social cause why they will not reimburse the medical bill of one person? During this month, May 2007 they have donated one medical centre to the local community!!
The journalists should properly cross check whether the information provided is genuine or not.
It is very disgusting to observe that ‘Lion’ has acted on the information without proper verification.
Dear 'Anonymous,'
I'm wondering a few things about your post...
1. Why you didn't sign your name if you find it necessary to make such harsh accusations against me? If you're going to say such things, you should identify yourself.
2. Why you find it necessary to put 'Lion' in quotes, as if who I am is only partially true.
3. What makes you think I don't have verification? I did indeed SEE the order forms for safety gear that specified they were only for managment, and the personnel director was unable to produce others.
4. What is your relationship with the employees? Because I spoke with a lot of them, and not too many were happy, so I'm wondering what makes you think that TC treats the employees well. Again, this brings me back to my point, of, who are you? What are your interests in TC? And why don't you identify yourself? I think you're holding an awful lot back...
5. Don't you think TC not paying the bill of one person is symptomatic of a bigger problem?
FINALLY, this is MY blog, and I don't appreciate my work being called things like "disgusting." That is insulting, mean, uncalled for and unnecessary. I'm not deleting your comment because I appreciate a lively discussion, however, I hope you, anonymous, choose your words more carefully in the future. Not just words like "disgusting" but all the words you aren't saying...
Please refrain from defaming me on my own blog. I'm happy to have a conversation, but I won't be insulted.
Also, please come forward with more information about your identity, motivation, and source of information so we're all in the clear as to just why it is you find my work so "disgusting."
The only thing I find "disgusting" are the burns on Gabriel's hands, the threats doled out by TC, and their unwillingness to pay his medical bills.
I never had any intention to insult you with my comments. I am sorry for that.
The word disgusting may not be appropriate.
I respect journalism and all journalists.
I extend my apology for this word.
I think Anonymous' apology suffices (my opinion) ... but we can't know it is the same anonymous as above. That's the trouble with the `Anonymous' tag.
I don't want us to expect TC to be perfect, but we shouldn't let it get away with not being sensitive. Very horrid working conditions are quite common, and they are a barrier to development, and therefore should be fought. One article at a time. If this gets obnoxious enough, good.
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