About 460 train drivers at the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) have embarked on a go-slow in protest against their employer’s failure to rehabilitate dilapidated locomotives as recommended by the National Social Security Authority (NSSA).
President of the Railways Association of Enginemen Norman Simba confirmed the go-slow yesterday. “Last week, we threatened to down tools due to poor working conditions. However, we have since embarked on a go-slow until we meet with management tomorrow (Friday) to discuss the issue,” he said.
However, NRZ spokesperson Fanuel Masikati refuted the industrial action claims.
“The train drivers are not on a go-slow as we are actually engaged in negotiations (with them),” he said.
In April, NSSA condemned the parastatal’s infrastructure as a health hazard and urged the NRZ to rehabilitate its ageing infrastructure or cease operations.
According to Section 104 subsection (4) of the Labour Act, workers are allowed to withdraw their labour on short notice if their safety is compromised.
The train drivers alleged that 23 of the 30 main-line locomotives were running without speedometers.
