adminWorkers that spoke on condition of anonymity said the police whom they had called to the scene rescued management at the company in the Renkini area.
The workers are claiming that they have not been paid their full salaries since the introduction of the multi currency system in 2009.
They are reportedly paid amounts ranging between $20 and $50 depending on one’s grade per month when the set salary for the lowest graded worker is pegged at $250.
“Management had agreed that they would pay us our full salaries including back pay and overtime by 30 April but when the date came, there was nothing and we decided to hold them hostage in an effort to force them to pay us our outstanding salaries.
“After the intervention of the police, management paid each worker $6 as a transport allowance, which money will be deducted from the salary at the end of the month,” said one worker.
The company’s general manager, Mr Tendai Nampata, yesterday confirmed that manage-ment was on Friday afternoon held hostage.
Pressed to give further details on the workers’ actions and what the solution to the stalemate would be, Mr Nampata said: “Yes I confirm there was something like that. If you want more details I suggest you put your questions in writing.”
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the incident and said they had talked to the workers and advised them to channel their grievances procedurally as their actions of holding people hostage were tantamount to committing a crime.
Insp Moyo said the workers had held an accountant whom he did not name and the production manager, Mr Paul Maphosa, adding that the pair did not have power over the salary issue.
The workers said they are irked by the actions of Mr Maphosa whom they accuse of victimisation of workers, which has resulted in low morale among the workers.
This low moral, they allege, has led to reduced production at the company.
The workers claim that 10 workers were on Friday served with letters to appear before a disciplinary committee for having attended a meeting called by the workers’ committee to discuss the issue of their salaries.
They claimed that five workers were on Workers’ Day forced to work and added that they have since been paid their overtime.
Many companies in Bulawayo are failing to pay workers due to operational challenges. Some have scaled down operations while some have closed shop completely.
Minister of Finance Tendai Biti launched a $40 million Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund (Dimaf) for Bulawayo industries in October last year following recommendations by an inter-ministerial task force on “Let Bulawayo Survive”.
Old Mutual complemented Government with $20 million to jointly set up the $40 million Dimaf for Bulawayo and as Bulawayo recorded increased job losses in the past years and most business are pinning their hopes on the fund to resuscitate the industry.
A number of industries are operating below capacity as funding needed to retool and recapitalise has proved to be elusive and expensive.
Most Bulawayo companies have relocated to Harare and other cities as conditions for operating in the once industrial hub continue to deteriorate.
It is estimated that at least $2 billion in fresh capital is required to recapitalise industries in Zimbabwe.
Despite the liberalisation of the economy in February 2009, Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector has struggled to stimulate productivity to competitive levels due to cash flow problems.
Online Reporter