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Senior Court Reporter
Crittal Hope Private Limited, a company linked to businessman Dr Philip Chiyangwa, has been ordered to pay its 18 workers retrenchment packages to the tune of $385 000.
The High Court last week registered an arbitral award for payment of the money, a development that gives the workers the green light to attach property from the company if payment is not made. Arbitrator Mr Joel Mambara in December last year awarded the retrenched workers packages ranging from $2 600 to $58 000 each.
On October 30 2012, Crittal Hope, which was struggling to pay its workers, got a ministerial order to retrench the 18 workers. Payment of the packages was to be done within six months from the date of issuance of the order.
By the end of April last year, Crittal Hope had not paid the packages in question, resulting in the workers taking the matter for conciliation and finally arbitration. Top labour lawyer Mr Caleb Mucheche of Matsikidze and Mucheche law firm represented the workers, while Tamuka Moyo Attorneys acted for Crittal Hope.
Arbitrator Mr Mambara ruled that the company had already agreed to paying the amounts, but it appeared before him pleading for mercy with dirty hands. “Clearly, the respondent has failed to abide with the retrenchment package period of payment.
“It is approaching this tribunal with dirty hands and is pleading for mercy . . .” reads part of the award.
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