The youths say they remain excluded, despite the company’s promises that those in the area would benefit from the Ethanol project. They allege that Green Fuel is employing people from other districts ahead of Chipinge.
“Nepotism and favouritism has reared its ugly head as top managers are recruiting their relatives and friends into influential positions relegating a few locals to menial jobs,” says a statement from the Platform for Youth Development.
“There is no job security as locals are hired and fired at the will of managers. PYD is reliably informed that in the month of August 2011 alone, 30 people were fired without compensation. The matter is now before our lawyers and the National Employment Council.”
PYD continues to represent Chipinge communities in development issues. Last week they highlighted the death of livestock, allegedly after drinking contaminated water from the Ethanol plant.
The company has constructed dams close to the community in Munepasi, which PYD says are a threat to human life as they are constantly breaking – drowning livestock and washing away huts. Comment from Green Fuel has been requested but was not forthcoming at the time of going to press.
Post published in: News