BY JAMES MUTASA

The National Union of Metal and Allied Industries in Zimbabwe (NUMAIZ) has dared ZIMASCO which is the largest integrated ferrochrome producer in Zimbabwe to immediately stop to compulsorily retrench more than 200 employees without following the retrenchment procedure stipulated by the labour laws.

Henry Tarumbira, General Secretary of NUMAIZ, told The Worker that the giant union had ordered ZIMASCO to abruptly end the 'unlawful' retrenchment process of more than 200 employees without following the retrenchment process.

“More than 200 employees of ZIMSCO who the majority of them are our members have received notices stating the employer’s intention to compulsorily retrench them,” said Tarumbira who added that, ZIMSCO demanded that the affected employees sign the notices as a way of consenting to the illegal process.

“When the employees refused to accept the unfair retrenchment the employer shut them out of their workplace. As NUMAIZ we will not sit back and watch employees being unfairly treated we gave ZIMSCO an ultimatum to stop this unfair labour practice failure of which we will take further action,” Tarumbira said.

Asked about what other action NUMAIZ intends to take should ZIMASCO remain adamant and continue with its objective of retrenching the employees, Tarumbira refused to reveal his strategies.

“We will cross the river when we get there but as a union we reiterate that we will not hesitate to take any action which will provide remedy to our members,’ said Tarumbira. Currently we are at home for the employer has ordered us not to report for duty. Our Union as recently advised ZIMSCO to follow due process rather than to retrench us unlawfully. We do not object to retrenchment but the bone of contention is on the manner the entire retrenchment is being carried out,” said an employee who spoke to The Worker on condition of anonymity

The Human Resource Manager of ZIMSCO Christian Sauti was not reachable for comment.

ZIMASCO has its head office in Harare and functional centers in Kwekwe, Shurugwi and Mutarashanga.