Source: Govt to fire 70pct of NRZ workers – NewZimbabwe 30/05/2016
THE government plans to cull National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ)’s work force by up to 70 percent citing poor business environment and the parastatal’s low capacity utilisation.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joram Gumbo told a conference to discuss the ZimAsset economic blueprint at the weekend that NRZ presently employs about 5,700 workers, much higher than the company can support while operating at the current level of 30 percent of capacity.
“At the moment, NRZ is overemployed with about 5,700 workers and this figure is high compared with the capacity at which the railways company is operating.
“There is need to embark on a staff rationalisation programme in relation to the business NRZ is generating,” he said.
The parastatal owes its employees over 15 months’ worth of unpaid salaries, amounting to a total of $87 million. The workers have been on strike since March, demanding to be paid their dues.
At its peak, NRZ employed about 20,000 workers and moved 18 million tonnes of freight annually. NRZ now moves less than 100,000 tonnes per week, the effects of industry collapse and poor rail infrastructure.
“Industry in Bulawayo has scaled down considerably due to various economic factors. We hope all stakeholders will work together to revive industry, and hence revive the NRZ and indeed all other sectors of our economic environment,” said Gumbo.
NRZ is one of the 10 strategic parastatals targetted under a transformation programme designed to aideconomic recovery.
Zimbabwe has 91 state owned enterprises, many of which are loss making. At their peak, state enterprises contributed up to 40 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), but they have been dragged down by legacy debt, corruption and mismanagement.
“I’m aware of the nation’s expectations on the need to reverse the downward trend of the NRZ over the past decade.
“My ministry is working flat out to secure funding for the recapitalization of the institution,” said Gumbo but declined to elaborate, saying the negotiations were “very delicate.”
Last year, the government said it was in discussions with the Development Bank of Southern Africa for a $650 million loan facility to rehabilitate NRZ infrastructure.
The company says it needs least $2 billion in the long-term to restore full viability.
COMMENTS
Does anyone still remember how Tel One employees were fired under similar circumstances almost 16 years ago?
Every employee is an enemy of the state.After making sure that everyone is on the street except those in the security sector ,everyone must go back to the rural areas where thorough screening will be done by Sabuku . Heaven knows where those who fail the test will go.This will ensure no one ever votes for the wrong political party again.Word of advise for NRZ workers ,please don’t even think of going to the courts, coz one , whose name
literally means the one who eats at night will make sure no one escapes his dirty hammer should you be lucky enough to get to the highest court in the land.You will be very lucky to get at least two months severance packages .Take it ,cut your loses and get the hell outa there.
Varume nemadzimai nguva yakwana zvino yokusundidzira ZANU pf ukko kwakadaro kumawere zvamuchose . xla chiparty chemadhuna mutuna ekuuraya nyika nekuba zviri pachena. Kukurirwa Nana Smith vaipiwa ma sanction asi zviro zvavo zvaifamba neungwaru ko imi ana Tambwari chii chaizvo ma degree hobho ekuba nekuponda sori maningi setereki.2018 bhora musango.kumusha kwa zvimba gore iroro