Forcing employee to fixed term contract

[BarryTemp]

Hi All

This company has a Jhb head office and a remote office. I work for the remote office. The remote office main source of income was a contract, which was not renewed. I have been with the company for 5 years.

All employees of the remote office received letters of termination via email without any prior notification nor meetings. We have been given 6 weeks notice.
The remote office boss had a meeting with Jhb more than 2 months ago. The rest of the remote office was not made aware of the meeting nor what was discussed. This is confirmed in our termination letter.
The only payout offered is for leave, no retrenchment package what so ever..

The contract has suddenly been extended and now we are being offered a fixed term 12 month contract.

My very basic employment contract states "I am eligible for a 13th cheque". There are no provided that I do clauses.
Does this mean I must get a full 13th cheque every year.

Regards

Stressed Barry