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as it violates labour practices.
The staff’s grievances stem from the fact that they would be transferred to OK Zimbabwe in a nonmanagerial capacity— against their will — once the takeover is completed.
The workers’ grievances are contained in a letter sent to Makro’s general manager and the Competition and Tariff Commission through their lawyers, Sinyoro and Partners.
The managerial staff have threatened the company with legal action if it fails to address their grievances.
The Competition and Tariff Commission recently approved the takeover of Makro.
According to the workers, there is no scheme in place setting out how they would be treated once the deal is finalised. The workers also claim the acquisition would affect their rights and other interests.
“Our clients advise that ever since the acquisition talks have been made public, Makro has never engaged the employees to participate and make representations on this deal, which obviously affects their interests and rights at the workplace,” the letter said.
The managerial staff submitted that they wanted Makro to come up with options to employees. They would either be transferred to OK Zimbabwe or be retrenched.
“The transfer to OK Zimbabwe should be a voluntary act by the employee concerned. This is because they already have their managerial personnel and structures in place which make it impossible for our clients to be accommodated.
“You are obviously aware of this and this is the reason why you have tried to whip our clients into your position,” said the lawyers.
In their letter, copied to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the lawyers indicated their clients were entitled to know the nature of the OK ZimbabweMakro deal. This would enable them to make informed decisions on the options available to them.
“We are advised that everything relating to the deal has been kept secret, leaving our clients in a dilemma as to their fate,” the lawyers said.
The workers are also demanding to know the nature of the contracts they would sign at OK Zimbabwe, in particular the inclusion or recognition of their period of service at Makro by OK Zimbabwe.
“Also they would want to know how the issues of salaries, benefits are going to be dealt with upon acquisition. This would, as stated above, enable them to make informed decisions,” the lawyers said.
The managerial workers said they were challenging this in accordance with provisions of Section 16 of the Labour Act, which provides for the rights of employees on transfer of the undertaking, as in their case.
The workers also demanded payment of their outstanding salaries.
“Our clients also demand payment of their salary arrears or backpay at 34 percent of their salaries before the transfer or an undertaking from OK Zimbabwe that it will pay the arrears and continue to pay as was awarded to the employees,” they said.
In the other letter written to the Competition and Tariff Commission, the workers said the deal should be reviewed.
“With the foregoing we would appreciate if the responsible authorities have a relook at the deal,” they workers said.
Online Reporter