In 2011 RBZ retrenched 1,456 employees as the bank had to streamline its fiscal operations and agreed on a staggering payment plan before the courts.
However the employees had gone for close to two years without receiving their outstanding salaries as the matter was pending before the courts.
RBZ had made an application to the Labour Court saying it had no capacity to pay the retrenched workers as the Treasury did not have money.
The matter was presided over by Judges Godfrey Musariri, Lilian Hove and Betty Chidziva who dismissed the plea by RBZ that the bank had no money as unsatisfactory.
Part of the judgement reads: “Their attorney’s answer was a claim that their funding by Treasury placed them in a different category from other debtors. Clearly such a response was unsatisfactory. Hence a plea of empty pockets cannot found a defence to claim for payment. All in all, we consider that the appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed.”
The judges also ruled: “The outstanding net totalling $9, 363, 362.8 by the employer, RBZ per retrenches list dated 14 September 2011 Agreement by Consent and signed by both parties must be paid plus the prescribed 5 percent per annum interest with immediate effect.”
The former RBZ employees were represented by Sinyoro and Partners legal practitioners.
Post published in: News