ZCTU plans blitz on companies

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ZCTU western region is planning a blitz on companies failing to timeously pay workers, describing most firms as having “become too stubborn”.

ZIMBABWE Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) western region is planning a blitz on companies failing to timeously pay workers, describing most firms as having “become too stubborn”.

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Regional chairman Reason Ngwenya said the labour movement had noted a trend where several firms had become stubborn and more were joining in taking advantage of “a weak inclusive government”.

“Plans are at an advanced stage to launch a blitz or lobby, whatever applies,” he said.

“As ZCTU, we want to get an understanding as to why firms are delaying payments. “We have realised that firms are taking months to pay workers and when they finally do so, it would not be the full pay.

“Firms have become stubborn and more are joining the trend of not paying workers. Even the government is weak to rein in on the firms.”

Ngwenya said if companies failed to yield to the pressure, police and the labour courts would be available options.

It is understood that the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) will be the prime target of the lobby, alongside four other big companies.

In May, it was revealed in Parliament that NRZ owed $46 million in unpaid salaries to workers, now wallowing in poverty.

Several companies blame the depressed economic environment for not paying workers, resulting in some scaling down operations or closing shop.

The disbursement of the Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund (Dimaf) has increased to $19 million from $13 million, although industries in Bulawayo continue singing the blues due to low capitalisation.

Bulawayo industries, despite receiving a bigger share of the fund, continue in the doldrums with 64 companies reported to be on the verge of collapse.

Bulawayo companies like General Belting Holdings, who received $1 million from Dimaf, continue to battle with low capitalisation largely due to antiquated machinery, huge debts and high cost of labour.

City industries in the same period received $3,3 million, representing 8%, from another government credit facility — the Zimbabwe Economic and Trade Revival Facility.