The Sunday News
Noble Ncube , Business Reporter
AT least 16 former workers of a Bulawayo company, Matabeleland Engineering, have not yet been paid their retrenchment packages more than a year after losing their jobs.
The workers said they were surprised why the company has been palying hide and seek over the issue of packages.
“We were promised a retrenchment package and one month salary when they dismissed us but more than a year now we have not got anything,” said one of the affected workers.
Another affected worker said he was surprised by the company management which in addition to failing to pay has just kept quiet without updating the workers on what was happening.
“It has been one year now since we were promised our money. We are very concerned because the company has not communicated with us in any way. They have been silent all along and we are stranded.
“The money owed to us is very important because that is where our hope of survival lies. The festive and rainy seasons have started and we have to provide for our families as well. What bothers us is that they are silent but the company is operating,” he said.
The worker said the company was also in the process of winding down operations in Bulawayo and moving to Harare.
“We think management is planning to run away. There has been movement of machinery and equipment from here to Harare. If you see something like that happening and still you have not been contacted regarding payment of your money, you will be very concerned. At least they must talk to us and assure us,” said one of the workers.
In an interview company director Mr Wayne Williams said the company was aware of the matter and they were looking for ways to pay the ex-workers.
He said the company, like most firms was bearing the brunt of the effects of the economic challenges the country was facing.
“The economic woes we are facing as a country affects everything particularly businesses. We have not been spared by the spell of high production costs and high wage bill. As a result we were also forced to let others go. The issue regarding their monies is being dealt with.
“We are working at trying to get them back to work. All of them will get their money. It also was not easy for us to let them go. If the money we are waiting for comes through they will be paid. They will all get paid. We treat everyone equally,” he said.
On allegations of trying to relocate, Mr Williams said it was true that they were moving equipment but refuted that the company was entirely moving to Harare.
“Yes we are moving some of our machinery because in Bulawayo there is no business anymore. If we want to remain afloat we have to move to where there is a larger market like Harare. We are, however, not moving everything, the shop will remain open and functioning in Bulawayo,” he said.
Matabeleland Engineering supplies small-scale miners with various equipment.
