KIGALI - Sacked employees of Rwandatel have petitioned parliament to intervene in solving a long standing feud with their former employer, as the two parties seem to have hit a stalemate over the issue of compensation, The New Times was told on Monday.

In March, Rwandatel fired some 120 employees as the company embarked on a restructuring plan aimed at positioning it to respond to the growing competition in the market place.

Member of Parliament Francois Byabarumwanzi and chairperson of the committee that handles petitions to parliament confirmed that they had been approached to solve the saga in which the former employees claim foul play.

"We got their petition and according to us it is a genuine concern which we must follow up and ask the responsible parties to explain,” Byabarumwanzi told The New Times.

"I am convinced that it is the workers right to demand for such explanations and the matter will probably go to court,” Byabarumwanzi said over the telephone yesterday.

Rose Oliya, one of the sacked employees argued that contrary to what Rwandatel alleges, their termination was unlawful and efforts should be made to revise the irregularities and compensation issued.

"They (Rwandatel) claimed our termination was out of incompetence and lack of qualification yet they used employees on probation to evaluate our performance. Today they send us messages and call us to help with the work we used to do,” she said.

But Patrick Kaliningufu the company’s Chief Executive Officer dismissed the allegations as baseless and expressed optimism as he awaits Parliament to call upon him to explain.

"It is one administrative error in which one of our current employees received an appointment and termination letter at the same time. Otherwise we shall wait until Parliament calls upon us to explain,” said Kaliningufu.

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