Vambachingwe Mine has fired and evicted 214 workers from company houses for allegedly going on an illegal strike last year in November demanding salary arrears dating back three years and better working conditions.
The mine’s management responded by firing those that participated in the strike and gave them eviction notices to vacate company houses by February 7. Gwanda Central MP, Edison Gumbo had to intervene to stop the evictions. Speaking at the mine’s premises Gumbo accused management of unfair labour practice. Said Gumbo:
This is not fair. These people have been left destitute because even if they leave their employment they can’t get their pensions as the company has not been remitting pension contributions to the Pension Fund. It was not also remitting money to their medical aid and funeral policies. Today they are evicting these people into the rain. That is inhumane. I will fight for the rights of people in my constituency. What the company is doing is unfair labour practice. These workers are living on a $21 salary instead of $350 and that’s unsustainable. I advised all the dismissed workers to register their names so that I can take the matter to Cabinet.
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