‘We are not trying to replace retrenched employees with unpaid graduates’ – Durban Country Club
Durban Country Club have reversed their decision to hire unpaid interns as it might be construed to seem like they are trying to replace their retrenched employees with free labour.
THE Durban Country Club have reversed their decision to hire unpaid interns as it might be construed to seem like they are trying to replace their retrenched employees with free labour.
This was according to Gerard Metzer, general manager of DCC, who acknowledged the optics looked bad.
“The timing is all wrong. We don’t want a good idea to be misconstrued as being disrespectful to those who were retrenched. We will leave it for another day,” said Metzer.
Earlier this month, Berea Mail reported on the online backlash DCC received over their “no salary, only a free lunch” job advert.
Metzer defended the move to hire unpaid interns saying they were providing valuable on-the-job experience to unemployed youths.
ALSO READ: Durban Country Club defends “no salary, only a free lunch” job advert
After the story, a former employee of DCC accused the club of trying to replace their recently retrenched employees with unpaid graduates.
The employee also said DCC is embroiled in a couple of lawsuits over unfair termination of contracts.
Metzer denied they were trying to replace their retrenched staff but confirmed that they let go of 65 employees during the lockdown period.
“We did go on a retrenchment drive because DCC was technically insolvent, Covid-19 obviously did not help,” he said.
“In terms of the lawsuits, they (former employees) have that right of challenging the termination in court. We believe we followed all the proper procedures, including giving them a generous notice payment.”
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
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