SCORES of former National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) workers, who were retrenched in July this year, on Monday stormed the parastatal’s head office in Bulawayo demanding their packages, claiming they were owed their dues.
by Luyanduhlobo Makwati
The furious workers had to be blocked by the company security guards from gaining entry into the firm’s premises by force, while others found their way into the building through a car park.
NRZ management also made an attempt to block the disgruntled workers from gaining entry into the State company’s main offices.
One of the disgruntled former employee, Linda Masarira, who worked as the only female trainman, said although management tried to evade them, they used force to get their attention.
“When we arrived, they called their internal security officers, who tried to bar us. We used force to gain entry and some of our members had to use the car park,” she said.
Masarira said management failed to offer them a proper payment plan during the negotiations.
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“We met the general manager, Lewis Mukwada, and his financial manager, who was only identified as Bhule.
“At first they refused to address us but when they saw that we were charging at them, they called us to the boardroom,” she continued.
“During our discussions, they seemed clueless on how they were going to pay us and they said they were going to make the payment plan starting today (Monday) and they will contact us in due course.”
NRZ public relations manager Fanuel Masikati confirmed the melee at the parastatal.
“I can confirm that there was such a development and former workers were addressed and management advised them accordingly. Once all is well, we will contact them,” he said.
More than 400 employees were fired by the parastatal recently, taking advantage of the July 17 Supreme Court ruling allowing workers to be retrenched on three months’ notice.
