ABOUT 650 former Zimasco workers besieged the company’s offices in Kwekwe on Monday and caused a scene, after they briefly held more than 30 managers hostage, demanding their terminal benefits.
BY BLESSED MHLANGA
Zimasco Kwekwe general manager, Blessed Chitambira fuelled tempers when he told the demonstrators he had organised a meeting between workers’ representatives and the company’s chief executive officer in Harare for October 8.
The workers would have none of it, saying they would only leave the company premises after getting paid.
Riot police later intervened and dispersed the rampant workers, as tempers flared, but the defiant former employees yesterday regrouped at the main gate to press for the payment of their retrenchment packages.
The workers claimed they were laid off on July 31 this year and were yet to receive their two months’ outstanding salaries and terminal benefits. The company had promised, in writing, that it would pay them by September 25.
Part of the memo signed by Zimasco’s human resources manager Tinago Tinago read: “July salary 2015, leave and leave bonus payment: Further to our discussions with regards to the above subject. I wish to advise payments will be done next week, Friday September 25, 2015.”
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An ex-employee who declined to be named said: “I earn less than $300, which is just pocket money for the bosses’ children, yet they don’t want to give us our money. Some here earn as much as $5 000 a month and get fuel twice my salary every month.” Zimasco spokesperson Clara Sadomba had not responded to questions emailed to her yesterday.
