THE recent laying-off of 100 parking attendants employed by EasiPark in Harare has reportedly opened “a can of worms” with the company’s line managers accusing general manager Pegius Dube of unilaterally cancelling workers’ contracts without their consent. REPORT BY KUPAKWASHE MAKONYE OWN CORRESPONDENT
The affected workers, whose contracts ended on December 31, 2012, yesterday picketed their employer’s offices along Julius Nyerere Way demanding reinstatement. The workers claimed their contracts were terminated under unclear circumstances, adding they were supposed to sign new contracts this month as per their initial agreement.
“The general manager is failing to explain exactly why our contracts have been ended. We were not being given leave forms and maternity leave, there are a lot of filthy acts taking place in his office,” said one of the workers.
In his letter to the employees, Dube said: “This serves to notify that your fixed term of employment contract that expires on 31 December 2012 cannot be renewed. Therefore, your last day of employment will be 31 December 2012.”
Dube could not be reached for comment yesterday.
However, the company’s administration and finance manager Gadzamoyo Dewah accused Dube of making unilateral decisions.
“I want employees to know that there is no management committee approval to employ new people. What is happening is being caused by the general manager and some belligerent councillors who are being used by him to distort the company’s information so as to loot and to plunder,” said Dewah to the affected employees and other senior company officials.
The letter, dated December 28, 2012, was also copied to Harare City Council chamber secretary Josephine Ncube. EasiPark has been managing parking bays in the central business district on behalf of Harare City Council since 2010.
