ZIMBABWE - HARARE - Zimpapers Harare branch journalists yesterday went on strike demanding monthly allowances and February salary to be in foreign currency. Junior reporters are being paid US$100 while senior reporters earn
US$120 as allowances while their salaries are being paid in Zimbabwe
dollars.
Only last month, the management deposited quadrillions of Zimbabwean
dollars into the reporters' bank accounts much to their disgruntlement.
This is despite the fact that Zimbawean dollar is no longer accepted in
any transaction except at the company's canteen where a plate of sadza
and vegetables cost Z$100 trillion dollars.
However, the reporters have to struggle to pay for their medical, rental and transport expenses.
A reporter who lives in Chitungwiza needs at least US$2 a day on transport
By yesterday morning The Herald newsroom was deserted leaving the news editor to rely on students on attachment.
Indications were that the strike could spread to other departments that
include advertising, marketing, circulation and subscriptions if the
management fails to address the workers plight.
A representative of the workers committee who requested anonymity said
the management failed to heed the calls by Minister of Media,
Information and Publicity, Webster Shamu to revise the allowances
upwards.
Shamu held a series of meetings with the management since went into
office but there has been little if any effort, by management to honour
up their pledge.
We have taken a position not to go to work because of management's
lack of respect for its workers. Besides negotiating in bad faith they
seem not to care about our cause.
So far, the strike has gone on well and should the management fail to
address our grievance we will not go to work, he said. A senior
management official at Zimpapers Harare branch who requested not to be
named said they were looking into the issue.