UAP company lawyer submits legal response to high court

By Jenifer James

The legal battle involving ten former employees of UAP Insurance took a significant turn during a court hearing in Juba on Thursday.

The defense attorney representing these former employees confirmed to the media that they have received a formal legal objection from UAP’s counsel, marking a crucial moment in an ongoing dispute that canters on allegations of unfair treatment and wage disparities within the company.

This legal action was initiated by the former National Staff Association of UAP, reflecting the growing discontent among national employees regarding their treatment compared to foreign employees.

According to the allegations, national staff members have been subjected to unequal pay for performing the same roles as their foreign colleagues, a situation that has caused unease.

Following the court session, Malith David, the defense lawyer for the former UAP staff, spoke to journalists about the proceedings.

He explained that the hearing focused on addressing UAP’s responses to the claims concerning employee terminations. The reply from UAP included both a legal objection and a formal statement of defense, which Malith described as integral to understanding the company’s position.

“We have received their legal objection and statement of defense, and we are preparing our response,” Malith stated.

The defense team is now tasked with crafting a thorough reply, with a follow-up session scheduled for October 9.

 This upcoming meeting will allow them to present their counterarguments and further clarify the issues at hand.

Malith emphasized that UAP legal objection serves as a defense against requests made to the Ministries of Justice and Labor.

These requests contest UAP’s statements and seek to address the grievances raised by the national staff.

“Our objective is to thoroughly address this defense,” Malith said.

“Once we engage with their arguments, we will gain a clearer understanding of their objections, which will help us strategize our next steps and offer more informed commentary.”

The backdrop to this dispute is rooted in a broader context of labor rights in South Sudan. In October 2023, the Ministry of Labor ruled in favor of the national employees, directing UAP to reinstate the ten terminated individuals.

Mary Hillary Wani, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Labor, emphasized the urgency of reviewing UAP’s salary structure and appointing a South Sudanese national to oversee human resources.

This directive aims not only to address individual grievances but also to promote equitable labor practices within UAP Insurance, a move seen as vital for fostering a fair workplace environment.

A legal proceedings continue, the outcome may have lasting implications for employee relations within the company and across the wider industry.