Zimbabwe News Update
expressmail
2 min read
While the post by crime watch zimbabwe cited 12 workers at tm aspindale having been forced to resign ,investigations carried by this paper reveal that there are actually 14 workers who were fired over flimsy allegations. A workers union body,progressive retail and wholesale workers union of zimbabwe, is representing the affected workers who have taken the matter to the court following the unfair dismissal. This paper has stumbled upon some court documents that show that tm has also been taken to the court over the case of ‘double deductions of union dues’. “our client advise that the employer has been making double union dues for quite some time now but our clients are affiliated to only one union that our clients are affiliated a progressive retail and wholesale workers union of zimbabwe.
“our clients advise that the respondent has been deducting further union dues in favour of an unnamed union without the consent or authority of our clients,which has resulted in double jeopardy to our clients as they are facing double deductions in favour of an unknown union which they are not affiliated to,”reads part of the document. The case involving the double deductions affected 225 workers. The retail giant’s human resource management also stands accused of meddling in the workers’ committee elections.
In a strong-worded press statement,(prwwuz) general secretary phillip mafundu, condemned tm supermarkets for what he described as “an escalating pattern of unfair labour practices.” “we are currently managing a significant number of cases that paint a picture of a corporate entity operating with a severe and alarming disregard for fundamental employee rights and interests. The gravity of these practices is such that the company’s conduct in labour relations now resembles that of a quasi military camp or a small, unregulated operation, rather than a leading national corporate retailer,”charged mafundu. Prwwuz has vowed to pursue all legal avenues to protect its members and restore compliance with national labour laws.
“we call on tm pick n pay to immediately cease these unfair labour practices, respect the fundamental rights of its workforce, and engage in good faith with recognized workers’ representatives,” said mafundu. This paper is in possession of a petition by the national chairperson of tm supermarkets workers’ committee diamond dera pleading with the ministry of labour to intervene in solving the numerous labour malpractices at the giant retail firm. Source: expressmail zimbabwe
