Sweet news for Tongaat workers
NEARLY 21 000 workers of Lowveld sugar producer Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe are set to receive a windfall after their employer finally agreed to award them a 15 percent salary hike backdated to April last year.
Tongaat’s capitulation brings to an end a potentially catastrophic stand-off that was looming between the sugar producer and its employees, who were last week threatening to stage a crippling strike if their salaries were not increased.
Tongaat workers, through their labour body, Zimbabwe Sugar Milling Industry Workers Union (Zismiwu) were threatening to burn their employer’s two sugar mills and cane fields at Hippo Valley and Triangle estates if their demands were not met.
Two weeks ago, the High Court upheld an order for Tongaat to hike wages for its workers in Band A by 15 percent and those in Band B by 7 percent.
In a notice following a collective bargain agreement that was finally reached between Tongaat and Zismiwu representatives last week, workers in Band A and Band B were advised of a $20 increment backdated to last year April.
“It is hereby notified that the Minister of Public Service Labour and Social Services has In terms of Section 80 of the Labour Act (Chapter 28:01), published the Collective Bargaining Agreement set out in the schedule, which has been registered in terms of Section 79 of the Labour Act (Chapter 28:01),” read part of the notice.
“Memorandum of Agreement is hereby made and entered into, in terms of Section 79 of the Labour Act (Chapter 28:01), between the Zimbabwe Sugar Milling Industry Employers Association (hereinafter styled “the employers”) on the one hand and Zimbabwe Sugar Milling Industry Workers Union (hereinafter styled “the employees” or the trade union”) on the other hand,’’ the notice further stated.
The notice said the collective bargain agreement was reached in line with the arbitral award granted by the courts.
“That with effect from 1st April 2017 through to 31 March 2018, the wages of all employees whose grades are listed in the wage schedules below be increased as per the arbitral award of 18 October 2017 granted by Justice LG Smith (Retired) and upheld by Justice Tagu of the High Court on 14 March 2018,” the notice continued.
The move by Tongaat to hike its workers’ salaries also followed a warning by the ruling party leadership in Masvingo for the sugar producer and its employees to find an amicable solution to prevent the their wage dispute from spiralling out of control.
ZANU-PF senior Masvingo Politburo member Cde Lovemore Matuke had announced plans to engage Tongaat and its employees to strike common ground to resolve the salaries stand-off.
Cde Matuke, who is Secretary for National Security in the Politburo, was due to hold a meeting with the warring parties to amicably resolve the dispute and the move by Tongaat means the meeting is no longer necessary.