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Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has asked its employees to return to work after they failed to report for duty yesterday following the release of $3 million for their salaries by the government.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Cde Joram Gumbo told Parliament last week that the government had released about $3 million to pay the NRZ workers who downed tools in March protesting over unpaid salaries dating back to more than a year.
Cde Gumbo said the $3 million was sourced from companies such as Zimasco, Makomo, ZPC, Tongaat Hullet, and GMB.
The NRZ workers have, however, not yet returned to work.
NRZ public relations officer Fanuel Masikati yesterday urged the workers to return to work, saying their absence would worsen the situation at the parastatal.
“The government has released money which has been used to pay employees part of their salaries but the workers haven’t returned to work. Those who occupy top management were being given $700, while those at the lower ranks were being given $175 per month.
“As NRZ management and the board, we’re appealing to the employees to return to work. We generate revenue from the movement of trains and it’s important for our workers to be there. We’re concerned about their welfare and we’ll continue making efforts to pay them,” said Masikati.
He said dialogue between the parastatal and its employees would continue as efforts were being made to cater for their welfare.
Zimbabwe Amalgamated Railways Union president Kamurai Moyo said they were not aware of the money that had been disbursed by the government.
“We’re not aware of the $3 million that has been disbursed by the government. All we know is that the NRZ still owes us salaries. That’s why the workers are still on strike,” said Moyo.
Another union leader, who declined to be named, said it was unfortunate that their employer was not engaging them on any developments at the parastatal.
“We’ve always emphasised on the need for communication between the NRZ and its workers but it’s unfortunate that unions aren’t being involved in whatever is going on. What we know is that only those who were considered to be at work were being paid half their salaries. Some of the workers haven’t been paid their salaries and transport allowances since November 2015,” he said.
Online Reporter