OK Mart suspends striking workers

Daniel Kachere Herald Reporter
OK Zimbabwe has suspended over 25 ex-OK Mart workers who staged a demonstration last week over violation of their contracts and alleged misappropriation of their medical aid and pension funds. A letter, in our possession, which was addressed to the workers reads: “This letter serves to advise you of your suspension from duty without benefits with effect from April 17, 2014 until further notice. This is to facilitate further investigations into the allegations that you took part in an unauthorised and unlawful demonstration at OK Mart Hillside between 8:00am (and) about 9:25am. You are requested to furnish the branch management at OK Mart Hillside of any changes in your address to facilitate communication with you.”

The letter is also accompanied by a charge sheet which reads:
“On April 16, 2014 you gathered and attended an unauthorised meeting which was addressed by Pascal Muchemwa on OK Mart premises, No. 30 Chiremba Road, despite the fact that you have been warned that you did not have authority to gather and have the meeting. You also disrupted the normal operations by delaying commencing work and display of banners within the business premises.”

OK Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Willard Zireva said the workers were supposed to negotiate with Makro, their former employer.
“We believe these employees are just being misguided by some misinformed people,” he said. “It should be realised that their grievances are against Makro and they are therefore misdirecting their efforts as OK Zimbabwe Limited has nothing to do with Makro.”

Mr Zireva said the transfer had to follow a process and these allegations are unfounded and that nobody was prejudiced.
“All employees were given the option to join OK or to be paid off by Makro and those that stayed did so voluntarily,” he said.

“On takeover of staff, CABS gave us a detailed loan and deduction schedule and terms applicable for our administration. We deducted accordingly and some have since paid off while others still owe.”

Mr Zireva said OK never defaulted in meeting any of its commitments and paying deductions over to service providers.
“All those employees who are members of the medical aid have continued enjoying the benefits of such membership,” he said.
“If the bank had not been paid, surely they would have sought legal recourse to recover the debts and those affected would have been sued.”

The workers, formerly employed by Makro, alleged that OK Zimbabwe had altered the terms and conditions of employment after taking over the South African retailer contrary to agreements that it would maintain favourable conditions of service for ex-Makro staff.