A Chinese brick firm, B and M is embroiled in a bitter wrangle with i’ts workers in Whitecliffe, Harare, who are resisting a bid to evict them from the farm houses which are now described as illegal structures by the company.
The 26 workers were recently given a two weeks’ notice to vacate the farm houses by the employer to pave way for new employees who are not coming from the Whitecliffe community.
The labour dispute has become the talk of the Whitecliffe community this time with the Chinese run entity on the wrong side after its attempt to evict workers without paying them their outstanding salaries and benefits. Workers allege the Chinese run firm is hiding behind a demolition order to get rid of them.
Secretary General for National Employment Council for bricks Lovemore Daniels expressed concern with unfair labour practices by some employers in the brick industry.He indicated his office is ready to deal with B and M labour dispute until the plight of workers has been addressed and solved.
“We are concerned about the increase in labour disputes involving mostly Chinese companies, and we are even appealing to the government to intervene as soon as possible,” said Daniels.
Zvimba East ward 10 councilor Mr Tafadzwa Kambarami who was at the premises expressed his disappointment in the way workers are being treated by their company.
“This is not the first time I addressed the issue of eviction of workers here but I thought one day both parties will sit down and solve it amicably,” said Kambarami.
He also assured the affected workers that he will approach every office so that their issue can be resolved as a matter of urgency.
ZANU PF Chairman for the Sabina Mugabe district in ward 10 of Zvimba East constituency, Passway Mubaiwa, expressed dissatisfaction about individuals who do not follow procedures in addressing such critical issues which really affect citizens.
” Eviction of workers will not be tolerated, it’s not only the company’s employees who will be affected but their dependants too, women and children will be victims,” said Mubaiwa.
It is reported that some children of the employees are no longer going to school, and spouses of the employees living in constant fear of being homeless anytime.
Efforts to get a comment from B and M management were fruitless since they were not available at the site .A Chinese national who later came said he will take the workers grievances to the management but is not authorized to give a comment to the press.
There have been widespread reports in the mainstream and social media platforms suggesting massive violations of workers rights and environmental laws in the country by some foreign owned firms with workers being underpaid or working under strenuous conditions.