Care organization logo. (Courtesy).

An employee of Care South Sudan has accused the international organization of unfairly dismissing him and several colleagues, a claim that the organization says it is investigating.

Mr. John (not his real name) said he is among about a dozen national staff who were fired a week ago.

John has also accused the organization of deducting the salaries of the national staff by 50 percent despite serving for five years.

He added that there is fear among the staff about raising their voices concerning their rights.

“South Sudanese (working) in the organization are being treated like they are no longer human beings because there’s total fear all the time, people cannot raise the voices,” he told Eye Radio.

Mr. John said he has opened a complaint with the registrar of organizations in the national relief and rehabilitation commission to “claim my rights.”

“It’s either they give me six months’ pay as labor law states or they reinstate me at my position because of the unfair process that they have followed.”

When emailed for comment, Care South Sudan Country Director, Abel Simbarashe said the management is aware of the complaints and its “pertinent” teams are looking into these allegations.

He said his office has taken all and any complaints by current or former staff extremely seriously.

“We are aware of the complaints you noted, and we assure you our pertinent teams are looking into these allegations,” the organization said in a statement sent to Eye Radio newsroom.

Simbarashe said his office has a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of discrimination – be it based on race, color, religion, sex, or age, and prioritizes safeguarding the welfare of all.

“Overall, we take all and any complaints by current or former staff extremely seriously. Further, we have a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of discrimination – be it based on race, color, religion, sex, or age, and prioritize safeguarding the welfare of all.”

“Our office remains committed to supporting the people of South Sudan with the utmost transparency, candor, and respect – as the organization has close to fifty years now.”