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Tafadzwa Magunda
VUBACHIKWE MINE is preparing to resume operations after it shut down due to an illegal and violent strike that resulted in extensive damage to property.
The mine management announced that it is ready to initiate the action plan for the resumption of optimal operations at the mine. For this to happen, there needs to be a legally elected workers’ committee at the planning table to represent workers and approve the action plan before it can be initiated.
“Following the withdrawal of the previous committee, there is a need for workers to elect a committee to represent them as constituted. The opinion of the employer is that such a legally constituted body is not in place as the erstwhile workers’ committee recused itself from their mandate before announcing their attempted unilateral self-reinstatement two weeks later,” said Robert Mukondiwa, Vubachikwe Mine spokesperson.
“It is the opinion of the employer that a workers’ committee cannot legally abdicate its duties then unilaterally reappoint itself. Therefore workers are encouraged to convene and either elect a new workers’ committee, or if they find that the committee that recused itself from their duties represents their best interests, they can re-elect or re-endorse it.
“After a legally constituted workers’ committee comes into existence, only then can the action plan be approved and rolled out.
This is to ensure that following a properly conducted plebiscite, whoever gets to sit at the negotiating table as stakeholders discuss the work plan and its commencement is legally at the table to avoid nullification of any processes and ensure quick return to optimal operations. The initiation of the rollout plan marks ground zero for the payment of owed salaries and wages,” he added.
Mine management expressed willingness to assist workers to conduct the voting process.
“Management is ready and the ball is now in the court of workers to elect a workers’ committee for deliberations on approval of a workout plan. Regarding the outstanding salaries, wages and backpay owed to the workforce as at November 8, 2022, these shall be calculated and divided by the six-month period in which the workout plan will be in place,” said Mukondiwa.
“The employer considers the welfare of the workers such that the first payment of this six part instalment shall be made immediately on the first day the workout plan comes into effect. Therefore, it is in the best interests of all parties that the workers’ committee is elected as soon as possible and the plan put into effect to allow workers to resume receiving their money owed to them to ensure decent welfare of the workforce.”
Online Reporter