Job Cuts: Workers Turn To Grace
27 July 2015
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HARARE City Council has rapped its workers’ committee leadership for rushing to rope in First Lady Grace Mugabe to block any planned termination of contracts at Town House.
Council’s human resources committee chairperson Wellington Chikombo yesterday said although workers were allowed to associate with individuals or political party of their choice, it was wrong for them to engage in “megaphone diplomacy” before exhausting internal remedies.
This came after workers’ committee executive chairman Cosmas Bungu flighted a well-choreographed congratulatory message on television pleading with the First Lady to use her political influence to stop the massive job losses that were triggered by a recent Supreme Court ruling that allows employers to unilaterally terminate contracts by simply giving three months’ notice.
“That’s their way of dealing with issues. They are bent on megaphone diplomacy. It’s not part of our intention to implement laws which are like that,” Chikombo said.
He, however, warned workers that they would not do as they pleased.
“I am not saying anyone should do whatever he or she pleases, the law can take its course,” he said.
On whether action would be taken against them for roping in Grace in their fight, Chikombo said: “They are a legal persona and they have rights to associate themselves. There is no need to hobnob with or pop my nose in their business. We can’t make decisions based on that.”
In the congratulatory message, Bungu described the First Lady as “an icon, a pillar of strength who should talk to ‘Baba’ (President Robert Mugabe) to ensure he reverses the decision to give three months’ notice to workers”, saying that was retrogressive and taking people to the colonial days. SouthernEye