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According to documents in possession of Business Chronicle, attempts to have the matter dealt with by a labour officer in terms of the Labour Act failed, prompting the officer to refer the issue to an arbitrator.
The workers had written to the labour officer giving notice to embark on industrial action.
According to a certificate of no settlement signed by the labour officer, the arbitrator will decide whether the workers should go on industrial action and also whether employers should be given more time to form an employers’ association.
Workers under the Zimbabwe Chemicals, Plastics and Allied Workers’ Union (ZCPAWU) want a National Employment Council which brings together worker and employer representatives.
The dispute was referred for conciliation before a labour officer on 4 July.
The labour officer issued a certificate of no settlement on 20 September and referred the matter for arbitration.
ZCPAWU regional representative Mr Aaron Mutero told Business Chronicle that the union had given employers plenty time to form an employers’ association.
The companies in the chemical industry cited in the action are Dunlop, Piggot Maskew, Rubber Products Manufacturers and General Belting.
Mr Mutero said they wanted to form a NEC which would discuss working conditions for workers in the industry as well as undertake collective bargaining agreements.
“The responsible companies are delaying to form the association because they do not want to solve our grievances,” he said.
He said workers in the industry were getting between $109,98 and $308,41 per month.
There were no transport, housing and medical aid allowances and some workers were owed five months’ salaries.
The union also accused their employers of living a luxurious life at their own expense.
“Last year one company bought 13 cars for managers while they are failing to pay us our salaries,” he said.
Sidumisile Mabena