Source: Min Gumbo on NRZ rehabilitation…Appointment of substantive CEOs for parastatals in progress – Sunday News May 22, 2016
Roberta Katunga in Victoria Falls
THE Government is working towards refurbishing the Victoria Falls to Mutare railway line as well as Gweru-Beitbridge-Chikwalakala line as part of efforts to keep the struggling National Railways of Zimbabwe viable and ensure employees return to work. More than 4 000 NRZ workers across the country downed tools in March protesting over unpaid salaries dating back to 15 months disrupting operations including the transportation of imported wheat and drought relief maize. The ailing parastatal owes workers about $68 million in unpaid salaries.
In an interview, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo said efforts were underway to stabilise the workers’ situation by acquiring new contracts that will bring in work to generate the much needed money.
“Our efforts to get some work for them should be complemented by them coming back to work because in as much as we understand their grievances, we will continue to persuade them to return to work. The general situation in the country is not rosy,” said Dr Gumbo.
He said the Government was bringing in a lot of maize because of the drought hence the need to revive NRZ which is critical in railing the food.
“We are concerned about the worker’s plight but they must understand that when companies are closing, it shows there is a problem with the economy and not a deliberate action that NRZ cannot meet wages but a national problem that the country is facing,” said Dr Gumbo.
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