Reporter aims GUN to the CCMA

Galaxy Universal Network (GUN) has responded to complaints of one of its employees about outstanding overtime and unpaid salaries.

On May 15, the news channel responded to the demand of Basetsana Phora after she approached the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) with regards to the salary dispute.

This follows after months of engagements between Phora and the company to compensate for the overtime hours.

Phora worked six days a week since her appointment in July 2020. She worked as a producer and news anchor for the channel.

She said in addition to the overtime payment dispute, the company paid her a half salary for February, and in March she was not paid for the days she reported for work.

The producer and news anchor is a mother of two children. She said her family has been affected by this.

“I have to pester people and borrow money because I am underpaid and it is embarrassing. I have to start afresh with my policies and life cover because I had to prioritise having bread for my children,” said Phora.

“I am disappointed because I gave my all to GUN but instead ran into unnecessary debts because of them,” she said.

The CEO of GUN said the matter has been settled by the CCMA.

“We have arranged for her to be paid. There was a delay but now I have all the documents. Everything has been sorted, her money has been paid,” said the CEO.

Although Phora confirmed that her money was paid she mentioned that she was frustrated to the core.
“That was not the arrangement. However, I’m at peace with the payment even though they showed they don’t care about basic labour laws,” said Phora.

Background story

The Tsakani-born journalist has been in the media industry for at least six years, having worked as a parliamentary reporter for the now-closed ANN7 as well as a freelance writer.

She joined GUN as a producer and news anchor last year on July 17.

According to Phora, when she was paid her first salary, it had discrepancies as overtime for Sundays were not paid for.

When she questioned it, she was told it would be sorted out, but she was later told that she is not entitled to overtime as she was still on probation.

“My probation period ended and my overtime was still not being paid. It was at this point that I was still given a runaround,” explained Phora.

She further explained that as time went by, she was paid half her salary in February, which was paid late.
In March, she could only work half the month and that portion was never paid.

She said according to the channel, the reason for delayed and non-payments was because the company has hit a financial slump.

Her concern was that no communication was done to alert workers that they would be receiving half their salaries.
As a result, she approached the CCMA to handle the dispute and it was handled as per the settlement agreement.

“Firstly, I feel betrayed. As a journalist, I exposed companies who did this very same thing to their employees.

“Secondly, companies are not doing well due to the Covid-19 pandemic; however, GUN has shown that it has no intention of sorting the matter. The company seemingly refuses to apply for Covid TERS, but we’ll never know.

“And thirdly, the company disregarded the employment contractual agreement we have, and now the settlement agreement shows that the company and its owners seem to believe they are above the law,” she concluded.

Phora said standing up against the media company aimed to show those who do not have a voice that giving up on what they worked hard for is not a solution.

“They might have paid me but they still disregard labour law processes and practices. I have to now go back to work and still be on the edge as to whether I will get paid in time, even though I have worked and given my all.

“One can imagine all those other colleagues who don’t want to say anything because they are fearful for their jobs.

“It is not just about me, it is for everyone who is unfairly treated at any institution, whether a media entity, a big or small company, the smallest community radio station or NPO.

“The law is the law and it has to be followed because these are livelihoods that are being affected,” she said.
In response to the allegations, GUN CEO said they can confirm that all the money owed to Phora has been paid.

“We can also confirm that all matters relating the employees are subject to editorial meetings that happen on Monday mornings. All staff that attended these meetings were fully briefed on all administrative matters within the organisation,” said the CEO.

What is next?

“I intend on going back to work this weekend. I will send my editor an email asking for a directive as l am willing to take half salary for half the time I worked as a compromise,” said Phora.