Ziscosteel fires all workers, shuts its doors

THE defunct Redcliff-based Ziscosteel officially closed its doors last week after terminating contracts of the majority of its 4 500 employees.

Source: Ziscosteel fires all workers, shuts its doors – NewsDay Zimbabwe September 6, 2016

BY BLESSED MHLANGA

The workers confirmed the development yesterday, saying they were sent home empty-handed by Ziscosteel board chairperson, Nyasha Makuvise, after religiously reporting for duty for the past seven years without pay hoping the firm would eventually reopen for business.

Makuvise is reported to have held a meeting with management on August 28, where he informed them of the decision to terminate all employment contracts.

Ziscosteel workers’ committee chairperson, Benedict Moyo, referred all questions to the company secretary, Adam Takawira.

“I can confirm the latest developments at Ziscosteel. However, for more information, you will have to talk to the company because we agreed they would handle that,” he said.

However, Takawira could not be reached for comment.

Highly-placed sources said the dormant steel company had only retained 190 workers to provide care and maintenance for its machinery, while its mining subsidiary, Bimco, retained 45 workers.

“Even those who remained at work to do care and maintenance had their contracts terminated and will have to sign new contracts. What worries us most is not that they have been fired, but it’s because there is no plan to pay us,” a disgruntled former employee who declined to be named said.

The workers threatened to stage demonstrations over unpaid salaries if government fails to pay them by the end of this month.

“We know they will be protected by the courts, so we will not be trying to attach any of their property. We are going to protest and sleep at the company premises until we are paid.

“How can they close a company as if it’s a tuckshop?” another worker queried.

Efforts to resuscitate Ziscosteel stalled during the inclusive government era when Cabinet ministers haggled over the $750 million rescue package provided by Essar Africa Holdings.