Business / Companies
Zisco headhunting former employees in South Africa
05 Jul 2011 at 02:47hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company has engaged a private employment agency to head hunt former employees working in neighboring South Africa as the firm battles to recruit professional staff needed to revitalise its operations.
Essar Global Limited, which in March this year acquired 54% of governments' 60% shareholding in ZISCO, is battling to lure professionals who resigned from its employ at the height of the problems at the giant steelworks.
ZISCO, which has been in critical condition for nearly a decade due to a myriad of operational problems, lost about 750 professionals in the past four years, stalling progress at the company. They included 144 fitters, 133 electricians, 43 instruments and control technicians, 12 metallurgical technicians, 10 electrical engineers, 68 boiler makers and 23 turners.
The company is offering hefty salaries and lucrative packages for former ZISCO employees plying their trade in South Africa.
Part of a report by the human resources consulting company said that "ZISCO Steel has decided to track down all former employees. The company will offer to the candidates who may be interested in re-joining the company very competitive salaries benchmarked on the salaries currently being paid by South African companies."
The report said that "The company will also offer benefits, which include payment of school fees at private schools, loans to purchase houses or use of company accommodation, use of company cars (depending on the level of the position), company will foot all the costs related to relocation to Zimbabwe and spouses who are professionals will also be offered positions relevant to their training."
Essar Global is planning to increase production capacity from one million tonnes of steel a year to 2,5 million tonnes in the next three to four years. This would however, require about 350 to 400 megawatts of additional electricity at a time the country is grappling to produce enough electricity resulting in constant power cuts countrywide.
Essar Global Limited, which in March this year acquired 54% of governments' 60% shareholding in ZISCO, is battling to lure professionals who resigned from its employ at the height of the problems at the giant steelworks.
ZISCO, which has been in critical condition for nearly a decade due to a myriad of operational problems, lost about 750 professionals in the past four years, stalling progress at the company. They included 144 fitters, 133 electricians, 43 instruments and control technicians, 12 metallurgical technicians, 10 electrical engineers, 68 boiler makers and 23 turners.
Part of a report by the human resources consulting company said that "ZISCO Steel has decided to track down all former employees. The company will offer to the candidates who may be interested in re-joining the company very competitive salaries benchmarked on the salaries currently being paid by South African companies."
The report said that "The company will also offer benefits, which include payment of school fees at private schools, loans to purchase houses or use of company accommodation, use of company cars (depending on the level of the position), company will foot all the costs related to relocation to Zimbabwe and spouses who are professionals will also be offered positions relevant to their training."
Essar Global is planning to increase production capacity from one million tonnes of steel a year to 2,5 million tonnes in the next three to four years. This would however, require about 350 to 400 megawatts of additional electricity at a time the country is grappling to produce enough electricity resulting in constant power cuts countrywide.
Source - allafrica
