Gweru workers declare incapacitation

By Stephen Chadenga | Feb. 3, 2024

In a letter dated January 31 addressed to acting town clerk Livingstone Churu, the workers revealed that failing to put food on the table is affecting their ability to fully perform their duties.

GWERU City Council workers have notified their employer that they are incapacitated and now destitute due to poor salaries.

In a letter dated January 31 addressed to acting town clerk Livingstone Churu, the workers revealed that failing to put food on the table is affecting their ability to fully perform their duties.

“After several works council meetings and request for meetings which have not brought any tangible results in terms of salary adjustments for your employees who continue to wallow in extreme economic challenges to the extent of failing of failing to afford basics such as food, rent and transport, we have resorted to concerted action (sic),” the letter read.

“We, therefore, notify you that your employees are now with immediate effect incapacitated to provide the usual services because of lack of food and transport money. We hope that your urgent financial intervention to cushion your employees to avoid the apparent incapacitation will save the situation.”

Contacted for comment, mayor Martin Chivhoko said negotiations between council and workers were on-going to address the workers’ grievances.

“We definitely understand the plight of workers, given the economic situation affecting not only our employees, but everyone in the country,” he said.

“Through dialogue, a mutual agreement would be reached and our doors will always be open to listen to the concerns of our employees.”