Bata suspends workers

News
BATA Shoe Company has suspended 10 members of the company’s workers committee and seven other employees for engaging in protests over non-payment of allowances.

BATA Shoe Company has suspended 10 members of the company’s workers committee and seven other employees for engaging in protests over non-payment of allowances.

By Stephen Chadenga

The seven workers were reportedly suspended on Monday while the 10 employee representatives were suspended last Thursday for 14 days without pay.

“You are hereby notified that you have been suspended for a period of 14 days without pay with effect July 23, 2015 in order that an investigation of an offence concerning (1) active obstruction (2) intimidation or threatening behaviour and (3) sabotage is carried out,” part of the suspension letters reads.

Bata managing director, Sengupta Ronjoy was not available for comment yesterday.

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 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.