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The Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Workers union, acting secretary general, Mr Lovemore Vambe, said WMMI unilaterally reduced workers’ working hours when it imported some vehicles from Thailand.
However, it turned out that the vehicles were defective. The vehicles were supposed to be used as ambulances by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare after Treasury released US$2 million directly to the car assembly firm.
Mr Vambe was giving oral evidence before a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. The committee chaired by Zengeza West MP, Mr Collen Gwiyo (MDC-T), wanted to know the challenges the industry was facing.
“WMMI was supposed to import knocked down vehicles so that workers would assemble here. They imported completely built vehicles but they were defective. Workers were forced to go on short time leave with reduced salaries,” ,” said Mr Vambe.
Mr Vambe made several allegations against WMMI, AVM Africa and Quest industry management.
He accused management of refusing to come to the negotiating table claiming that issues to be discussed were sub-judice as they were pending before court.
Other allegations included abuse of workers by making them work at management’s residence, refusing to implement agreed decisions among others.
Bulawayo East MP, Ms Thabitha Khumalo (MDC-T) castigated the trade union for failing to bring documentary evidence to substantiate their allegations.
She said they should have brought detailed action of what as workers’ representatives had done to combat the alleged abuse.
“I am very confused with your presentation. Your role as trade unionists is to look out for and promote workers rights. Why are you failing to resolve these issues and what have you done?” she asked.
Mr Gwiyo asked the five-member delegation to go back and bring detailed reports of their grievances supported by evidence.
Online Reporter