Hotel group fires all 216 workers

Regency Group of Hotels and Leisure Group in Masvingo and Gweru owner Eddison Zvobgo's son has fired all his 216 workers citing Supreme Court ruling.

The Supreme Court last month ruled that employers could terminate employees' contracts by giving them three months' notice and without compensation.

Zvobgo is the only worker from the stable whose job is not on the line.

He also fired chief executive officer Fredrick Kasese, several top managers and went right down to the shop floor workers.

Among the workers is his late father's driver who had served the company for close to 40 years.

This means that he will be going home without any benefits save for the three months' salary, despite all the years of hard work and sacrifice.

Zvobgo confirmed the development and said he was doing what other companies were doing.

He blamed the job cuts on the harsh business environment.

"That is true. It is a restructuring exercise necessitated by the environment. It happens everywhere," Zvobgo said.

He said he would rehire some who got letters terminating their contracts last Friday.

"We will rehire some of the workers. All the units are operating and we are not closing. Workers are at work and we are not closing," he said.