Dunlop salaries slashed

Nokuthaba Mathema Chronicle Reporter
THE crisis at Dunlop Zimbabwe continues to deepen amid reports that workers who went on strike in the past two weeks were given only part of their salaries.About 41 percent that accounted for the nine-day strike that began on 12 July was allegedly slashed.

The workers reportedly returned to work on Thursday following Labour and Social Services Minister Paurina Mpariwa’s directive for them and management to settle the stalemate at the Labour Court today.

Workers who spoke to Chronicle yesterday said they were given about 59 percent of their salaries with the lowest paid worker who earned a monthly salary of $108 receiving about $63.

“This is not fair at all.  Our July salaries were cut by almost 50 percent because of the nine-day strike we conducted against management demanding a pay rise,” said a frustrated worker.

Another worker said the worst affected were those who had taken leave days.
“Those who took leave days before the industrial action were the hardest hit because their salaries were cut to $23. What could a family person possibly do with that kind of money, when there are rates, rentals and other essential things to take of?

“After spending almost two weeks calling for an increase, management has decided to slash our salaries claiming that it will compensate for the days we were not at work. Out of 21 working days, which means we received a monthly salary for 12 days only,” said a disgruntled worker.

Workers also said that management received their full salaries. “Management was not affected by this predicament as they received their salaries on Thursday without any cuts,” said another worker.

Efforts to get a comment from the company’s managing director Mr Kennedy Mandevani were fruitless as his mobile phone went unanswered yesterday.

The stalemate comes at a time when the tyre manufacturer indicated last month that it had increased its capacity utilisation to close to 50 percent which is sustained by an increased demand for its tyres on the export market.