Misery for fired NRZ workers

News
SEVERAL former National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) workers who fell victim to recent mass retrenchments face eviction from lodgings and risk their property being attached by banks over unpaid loans.

SEVERAL former National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) workers who fell victim to recent mass retrenchments face eviction from lodgings and risk their property being attached by banks over unpaid loans.

By Nqobile Bhebhe

The workers, who endured months without being paid and had been constantly begging their landlords to be lenient, said their future was thrown into disarray after the dismissals.

Compounding their plight were bank loans and borrowings from ruthless loan sharks which they must repay.

More than 500 NRZ employees have been sacked in the past few days and some of them told Southern Eye their future was now uncertain.

“I am now destitute as my landlord wants me out of his property,” said a former cap planner with the parastatal who had served 15 years and spoke on condition of anonymity.

“The dismissal letter was handed over in his presence (landlord) early Saturday morning.

“My previous supervisor was in the company of a security officer.

“On Monday, I went to NRZ offices asking for a privilege ticket order to take my property to my rural area.

“They refused saying they had nothing to do with former workers.”

NRZ workers used to benefit from the privilege ticket orders, which allowed them free train travels.

Another worker who also requested anonymity said the parastatal was insensitive for dumping them despite their loyalty.

“This is cruelty at its worst. I had taken up a loan two weeks ago with my bank with a 24-month repayment period,” he said. “All of a sudden, I have been thrown into the streets. I wonder how I will service the loan. I fear my property will be attached.”

Acting General Manager Lewis Mukwada addressing disgruntled NRZ employees at the Main Station in Bulawayo
Acting General Manager Lewis Mukwada addressing disgruntled NRZ employees at the Main Station in Bulawayo

According to termination of contract letters dated July 31, the affected were ordered to surrender medical aid, identity cards and other property.

“You are required to immediately return all property belonging to the National Railways of Zimbabwe, which may be in your possession, including medical aid and identity cards,” part of the letter reads.

Economist Godfrey Kanyenze said the retrenchments were not acceptable and the most painful thing was that they were being done by “the revolutionary party”, Zanu PF.

“Firing of workers by companies will definitely have a negative impact on the performance of banking institutions in the country,” Kanyenze said.

“Workers need income and security, but this is not the case with Zimbabweans today.

“If you are an urban dweller you will need money for rentals and other things. If you don’t have money then everything falls apart. We need a holistic approach when it comes to these things not to look at one side.

“What is happening with workers is not acceptable and the most painful thing is that it is being done by the revolutionary party.

“This is a Rhodesian culture narrative and it’s complete betrayal of the revolution. The government must wake up and smell the coffee.”

NRZ workers have gone for over 13 months without getting paid and are owed $68 million. A recent survey by the Industrial Psychological Consultants showed that 60,9% of the employees did not support the ruling by the Supreme Court that employers can terminate the employment contract by giving notice.

It said 30,2% of the participants supported the ruling by the Supreme Court and 4,9% were not sure.