Citizen paramedics say they are sick with MRI Botswana’s preferential treatment of foreigners over nationals.
Irate present and former employees claim MRI prefers Zimbabwean nationals over locals for certain key positions. Contested is the position of Life Advanced Support Paramedic.
Although employees have made a litany of allegations, MRI has elected not to respond to such when The Telegraph gave the organisation the opportunity.
MRI has not disputed any of the allegations being made. It chose spin over answering specific questions sent out to the head of human resources, Lebogang Medupe.
“As MRI, we have recruitment policies that are premised on diversity and inclusion when it comes to recruitment and selection of best and suitable candidates for the organization. Our recruitment processes are robust and based on industry best practice and aim at selecting talent for the organization. MRI is a 100% citizen owned company with a staff compliment of 202, with 99% being citizens and 1% being non citizens,” said Kgomotso Kubisa – head of business development.
One foreign national, Dr. Fidelis is said to be holding three key positions to the detriment of locals.
“What happens is that every three years or so MRI advertises Advanced Life Support positions with no intention to employ Batswana. They do this so they can renew contracts of their foreign nationals. This automatically means their work permits are renewed,” said an employee whom we may not name.
Another said: “They do this just so they can renew the contracts of their foreign nationals. The gentleman in question [Dr. Fidelis Madondo] has a nursing credential as the highest qualification. The scope of practice of a nurse does not allow him to be performing such duties.
Yet another employee said: “MRI does not have anyone who is credentialed as an Advanced Life Support Parademic.
“As MRI, we have recruitment policies that are premised on diversity and inclusion when it comes to recruitment and selection of best and suitable candidates for the organisation.
Our recruitment processes are robust and based on industry best practice and aim at selecting talent for the organization.
MRI is a 100% citizen owned company with a staff compliment of 202, with 99% being citizens and 1% being non citizens,” said Kgomotso Kubisa – head of business development.
Due to the nature of our business and the industry we operate in, there are certain specialist roles that exist within MRI. To fill in such roles, the same recruitment policies still apply thereof.
In conclusion, the human resource department guided by existing policies and procedure, is the custodian of all recruitment, including the development of job descriptions thereby guides the business in that regard.
