It’s not a crime being an employee

Iwas making my way out of a construction site when a young man who was helping mix the mortar came running with his sob story as I sauntered towards my car.

He wore a lean and hungry look while swept away by a tide of emotion as he narrated his tale.

I had to wait a while for him to compose himself as he was panting while speaking.

“Eh, mudhara ndabikana nenzara. I have not been paid even a cobble since I started working on this project. I have a young wife and child who both need food, but it seems the contractor is not taking all this into consideration,” the young bloke said while wiping away tears.

He even threatened to get physical with the contractor if he continued ignoring his plight.

Welcome to the word of informal employment where fights over money are common since most of the agreements are verbal and often not binding.

There is usually nothing written down in the informal sector as employees are made to believe that they are employed out of compassion and not demand for their services.

“I am not your friend my friend. The gate is open; you can leave any time because I only engaged you after your aunt insisted that I help you. In fact, I have no use for you,” is a common line used by employers in the informal sector when asked for payment.

It can be worse if the worker is of the opposite sex as he or she is abused at will. Some of the employers use the hapless workers to quench their sexual desires.

Countless promises are dished, but never fulfilled.

The informal sector has become modern-day slavery as employees have no set working hours.

Similarly, they are made to handle harmful substances with their bare hands. Protective clothing is not prioritised.

The challenges, yours truly was told, are mainly caused by the employers who try as much as possible to pay their workers as little as possible so that they remain with as much cash as possible for themselves.

“Takasevenza shuwa kwemakore akawanda, pagarage rake iye Ronnie. Kuti ndiwedzerwe mari ndigare pabasa, iye Ronnie otsikatsikawo,” sang celebrated singer Edias “Solo” Makore.

True to the song, a visit to the informal sector can leave one crying as some workers are beaten up for daring to demand payment for services rendered.

There are some self-styled businesspeople who operate unethically and have the nerve to invite their equally ill-minded friends to sample their female bartenders.

“Ndeipi mwana wepasi? Come and see a small girl whom we hired. She has a strong rural background and does not know much and I am sure you can do all you want with her without challenges,” you hear people shouting over the phone.

There is great exploitation taking place in the informal sector which bids on authorities to take decisive action to save fellow citizens who are being abused by their brothers and sisters.

Did you know that in this day and age there are some people who are occasionally shouted at and sometimes sjamboked for making mistakes and also have their earnings deducted as punishment?

When working for some people, it is as if you would have ceded your rights to them and never get credit for anything.

The best you can get are half-hearted appreciations that barely last a minute.

Some people are being made to report for work while sick because any absenteeism is considered as resignation.

Gentle reader, let us treat our brothers and sisters working for us with respect.

They deserve it too.