THE National Union of Quarry Workers on Tuesday blocked the eviction of 44 former workers at Freda Gold Mine in Gwanda after it approached the National Employment Council (NEC) for the mining industry.
Report By STAFF REPORTER
The union’s organising secretary Onious Munenga confirmed the development saying the NEC’s senior designated agent Jeffrey Dube in Bulawayo handled the matter.
He said management at the mine had deployed security officers to evict disgruntled former workers from the mine compound.
“The affected workers were paid only for leave days amounts ranging from $25 to $1 300, but the employer ignored paying them gratuities and notice pay,” Munenga said.
Former workers’ representative Prosper Makaza, represented by Munenga, blocked the eviction after signing an agreement with the mine’s managing director Innocent Gona.
The dispute between former workers and the mine’s management was referred to conciliation on November 28 last year.
Mine management was accused of “illegal and unfair termination of employment”.
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According to the agreement, the two parties agreed: “That the ex-employer agrees to pay ex-contract workers their 5% gratuity per month from the fourth month of employment until termination of employment. That the ex-employer agrees to pay two weeks’ notice to the affected ex-employees.”
The agreement also states that ex-employees must remain at the compound until month end.
