SACKED National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) workers have rejected the parastatals’ retrenchment package payment plan, saying it had been imposed on them and violates the Labour Act.
BY NQOBILE BHEBHE
This come amid reports that the railway firm is seeking $1,6 million to bankroll the payments.
NRZ and the workers, who fall under the Association of Railways Terminated Employees (ART), met on November 9 to trash out sticking issues on payments.
A nine-point payment plan was reached, but had some clauses subsequently rejected.
In a letter sent to the acting general manager Lewis Mukwada dated November 18, the ex-workers said: “Sequel to our letter of even reference dated November 10, 2015 (handed to your office on the day we also received a revised NRZ payment plan which was rejected by ex-employees, not that it was an unofficial piece of paper only), we the workers reject the payment plan” read part of the letter in the possession of Southern Eye.
The workers wrote: “We acknowledge the amendments done on item 2 that has bonus of 2014 now payable on our next salary of November 2014 and the pension status that you have reduced to writing in your stamped document dated November 9, 2015 and stamped December 10: the pension you promise to communicate to pensions fund to treat employees terminated on three months’ notice on July 31 and August 7, 2015 that they be treated in terms of rule 11.4 without need for any amendment.”
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The ex-employees said they had sat down and thoroughly analysed the payment plan and acknowledged the amendments done.
However, they queried amendments to some sections.
“What the NRZ management did is unfair to say the least, we would like to believe that the end of 2016 or indefinite period cannot be termed as reasonable time at law,” the workers wrote.
“Maybe it is too much to sincerely hope that something pragmatic will be worked out so as to alleviate the plight of terminated workers and their families as they are entitled to all the rights enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe.”
They added: “We look forward to a revised plan whereby all accrued leave days, liability days unbanked salary and pro rata bonus of 2015 be paid as a lump sum so as to enable employees’ children to enjoy the fundamental rights of education, shelter and food as they are as much human as railway managers’ children.”
On Wednesday, NRZ management called in the riot police to seal off the company’s offices to block seven fired workers representing the more than 400 axed employees from entering the premises.
More than 400 employees were fired by the parastatal recently, taking advantage of the July 17 Supreme Court ruling allowing workers to be dismissed on three months’ notice.
