Lobels’ ex-workers in demo over benefits

Mpumelelo Nyoni Chronicle Reporter
RETRENCHED Lobels’ Biscuits workers on Wednesday staged a peaceful demonstration against the company after it defied a court order directing it to settle outstanding payments that have been due for the past five years.

Lobels’ Biscuits retrenched over 200 of its workers in 2009 after they protested against the company’s failure to increase their wages.

Some of the retrenched workers who participated in the demonstration had served the company for over 40 years.

Marko Mapfumo, who joined the company in 1965, said he has been living in abject poverty after the company defied a Labour Court order to pay him his dues.

“I worked for this company for 45 years before I was unfairly dismissed. I can’t be destitute in my own country while some fat cats enjoy the fruits of my labour. I won’t even benefit from any pension package,” said Mapfumo.

The company failed to comply with various labour laws and did not remit funds to the National Social Security Association (NSSA) as well as the National Employment Council (NEC).

Albert Ndlovu, who said he has worked for the company for over 30 years, said the ex-workers’ rights were being violated after the company arbitrarily reduced their salaries five years ago.

The workers’ demonstrated after the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) wrote to the police to allow the demonstration.

In a letter written to Bulawayo police, the lawyers said blocking the workers’ demonstration was in violation of the Constitution.

“Our clients are former employees of Lobels’ Biscuits (Pvt) Ltd. They’ve been frustrated by Lobels’ management who have failed to pay them their dues and have failed to honour court orders directing them to do so,” reads the letter.

“If indeed this position was articulated, it falls short of the position of the law. Demonstrating and petitioning is a constitutionally enshrined right in terms of section 59 of the Constitution, and cannot be subjected to any conditions,” the lawyers said.

Lobels’ Biscuits management could not be reached for comment.