Bata workers down tools

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BATA Shoe Company workers yesterday went on strike to protest the non-payment of their allowances by the shoe manufacturer.

Bata reportedly owes employees in grades A to H close to $200 000 in housing and transport allowances for the period stretching between July 1 and December 31, 2010.

BATA Shoe Company workers yesterday went on strike to protest the non-payment of their allowances by the shoe manufacturer.

By Stephen Chadenga

Last month management and workers crossed swords after the firm failed to implement a salary review awarded by an arbitrator in 2010.

Bata reportedly owes employees in grades A to H close to $200 000 in housing and transport allowances for the period stretching between July 1 and December 31, 2010.

In February this year, the shoe manufacturer appealed against the order and lost the case at the Supreme Court.

Bata had initially appealed to the Labour Court to set aside the decision of the National Employment Council of May 10 2011 and further sought to be exempted from paying the 9, 1% wage increase for the period July to December, 2010.

Last month workers engaged in tea break protests to pressure management to honour a review of their housing and transport allowances as awarded in the arbitration.

The workers then advised Labour Minister Priscah Mupfumira of their industrial action, which then was not a full strike.

“The arbitral award by honourable (Elisha) Ganyani is dated 22 April 2015.

“To date (Bata managing director)Sengupta (Ronjoy) has not implemented the award as required by the law.

“So what was the point of referring this dispute for arbitration,” workers wrote to Mupfumira.

Sengupta was not available for comment, but workers committee spokesperson, Edias Bhasikiti said the strike was to pressure the firm to honour its obligations.