Ghanaian worker in New Zealand sacked over text message

stacey

March 10, 2016 9:28 AM

A Ghanaian woman working at the South African high commissioner's home in New Zealand has been sacked and had her passport confiscated because of a text message.

Patience Komla sent the text on March 3, meaning it to go to a friend in Ghana, but instead went to an attache at the high commission who has a similar phone number, New Zealand website stuff.co.nz reported.

The message recounted a brief comment that South Africa's high commissioner to New Zealand, Zodwa Lallie had made to another domestic worker that same day.

It said: "hi sis how u? I help her and on our way she stop by the kitchen as usual not knowing am waiting just close by and all the things were said and the other lady said she shld have a good day and she responded thanks and that she don't have many pple in this HSE who say those things to her bcos she might have a bad smell! I was like woaw amazing u can say things like this to yr employee? Anyway hope u doing well".

Lallie found out about the message, and confronted Komla over it, telling her she wanted her out of her house immediately, booked her a hotel room, gave her $50, and had a driver take her away.

Komla told stuff.co.nz Lallie wanted her out of the residence immediately.

Komla has worked for South African high commissions in various parts of the world for the past 15 years, and previously worked for Lallie at the High Commission in Ghana.

Komla's contract states she must not "discuss or communicate any information about your employment, your employer or events which come to you [sic] attention through your employment at the official residence".

A breach of that clause entitles the employer to terminate the contract with 24 hours notice.

Komla told the website she “apologised and apologised.

“I was on my knees crying. I offered to show her the message but she did not want to see it. She said if I did not go she would call police."

She was also told her work visa would be cancelled, and her passport was taken from her. Her passport was later returned to her, but she does not know what will happen to her.

"I cannot afford to return home. I would very much like to be allowed to work until the end of my visa period," she said.

stacey