The workers have already received their severance packages from the company, a subsidiary of Power Sales. Workers who spoke to The Zimbabwean said that they were paid according to the number of years they had served. Those who served less than 10 years were given one-months salary for every year served. The company is still discussing the payment of accrued vacation leave and accumulated pension. The workers were also given three- months basic pay as notice.
“I worked for the company for more than 11 years as a tailor. For all these years, I was given $2 700 as my severance package. I do not know how the management arrived at this figure which is too little,” said a former worker at the company.
The workers were given the option of buying some of the machinery, including sewing machines.
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions head for the Western Region, Percy Mcijo, condemned the closure and blamed the government.
“Why did the government fail to assist this company under the Distressed Industries and Marginalized Areas Fund? The government is not sincere when it comes to the revival of Bulawayo industries. This company has been in distress for a long time and the government has not done anything to assist it, “said Mcijo.
Mcijo said his organisation had already sent a petition to the Ministries of Industry and Commerce as well as the Ministry of Labour. The company joins a growing list of firms that have either relocated or shut down in the city in less than a decade.
Post published in: Business