via Court summons ZBC CEO over salaries – NewZimbabwe 08/12/2015
ZBC management has been summoned to appear before a Labour Court this Wednesday for non-payment of terminal benefits to retrenched workers.
The state broadcaster is supposed to pay the former employees their two week’s salary, retrenchment package per every year served, cash in lieu for leave days accrued and pension but no communication has come from management.
According to summons addressed to ZBC acting CEO Patrick Mavhura, the hearing will go ahead even if he fails to appear for the hearing.
“You are hereby notified that the matter concerning ZBC and W. Mapa and 561 others set for a hearing on alleged non-payment of terminal benefits in respect of which reference was made on the 30-11-15 and to which you are a party shall be heard before B. Chikwanha in room 43 Makombe Building Block 1 corner Herbert Chitepo Street and Leopold Takawira avenue 09/12/15 at 11.30 HRS.
“If, as a party, you fail to attend the hearing at the time and place notified, the hearing may proceed without you to the possible detriment of your interest.
In August, the ZBC management took advantage of the Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku’s court ruling that allowed companies to terminate employees’ contracts on 3 months’ notice without benefits and sent home more than 500 workers.
The ruling was made in July.
However, the Labour Act, 2015 (No.5 of 2015) was amended in August and provides for compensation for workers whose contracts or employment were terminated on or before July 17th 2015.
A month ago, 23 former ZBC employees went to state broadcaster’s head office at Pockets Hill in Harare to seek audience with management over their outstanding salaries but they were assaulted by the army who force marched them out of the premises.
The disillusioned former workers then approached the courts to have their salaries dispute resolved.
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