News / Local
Govt should take urgent steps to revive Byo's ailing companies: Unions groups
10 Jan 2012 at 18:14hrs | Views
Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Union (ZFTU) and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) in Bulawayo have challenged the Government to take urgent steps to revive the city's ailing companies in order to save jobs and create employment for hundreds of jobless citizens.
In separate interviews with the Chronicle, representatives of main labour bodies, ZFTU and ZCTU, expressed frustration over delays in facilitating concrete funding towards restoring Bulawayo's reputation as the country's manufacturing hub.
They called for the speedy disbursement of the $40 million under the Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund (Dimaf).
The labour bodies said it was disheartening that the fund has been thrown into uncertainty at a time when companies needed it most. "As workers we are still frustrated, sisemalilweni. We have expressed this time and again but nothing has changed. If the taskforce put in place to avail the $40 million was doing its job, things could have changed by now," said Cde Pardon Mangena, the ZFTU Bulawayo provincial secretary.
"While the retail and construction industries are operating, there is a need for concerted efforts in reviving the engineering and clothing industries as these are the sectors that absorb a huge workforce.
"As workers we expect more capital injection for Bulawayo companies this year in order to save jobs and create employment. We demand tangible action that will produce fruits.
"The responsible ministries in the Government should be sincere about this issue. Unless we do that there would not be any change and the future for workers is bleak."
ZCTU western region officer, Mr Percy Mcijo, concurred saying the engineering and the textile sectors were experiencing severe challenges yet they were key in reviving the city's economy.
"These industries are the hardest hit by operational challenges. I have visited some of them and they have a huge market for their products. Their major problem is ageing infrastructure and machinery," he said.
"The delays in the release of Dimaf are worsening our plight and this shows lack of seriousness on the part of the Government. The delay is creating leakages for abuse of the fund and we are really concerned about that.
"This city used to be the hub of manufacturing countrywide. As such the economy of this country is hinged on the growth of the manufacturing sector in Bulawayo," said Mr Mcijo.
The labour bodies expressed concern over the ballooning unemployment levels in the country, which could not be absorbed by the ailing companies. They applauded the High Court for pledging to deal with labour disputes expeditiously.
They said the Labour Court should be transparent in dealing with such cases so that workers are protected.
Meanwhile, a snap survey by Chronicle yesterday revealed that most companies have not resumed operations after the Christmas and New Year's holiday breaks.
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Bulawayo chairperson Mrs Ntombenhle Moyo said most companies would be open by next week.
"Most companies are still closed and we expect them to open next week. At the moment it is not clear which ones have failed to open. We will do our assessment then," she said.
Last month hundreds of workers went on holiday empty handed after companies failed to pay their full salaries.
Bulawayo has experienced increased job losses in the past years that have been attributed to the closure and relocation of companies to other cities, especially Harare.
In separate interviews with the Chronicle, representatives of main labour bodies, ZFTU and ZCTU, expressed frustration over delays in facilitating concrete funding towards restoring Bulawayo's reputation as the country's manufacturing hub.
They called for the speedy disbursement of the $40 million under the Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund (Dimaf).
The labour bodies said it was disheartening that the fund has been thrown into uncertainty at a time when companies needed it most. "As workers we are still frustrated, sisemalilweni. We have expressed this time and again but nothing has changed. If the taskforce put in place to avail the $40 million was doing its job, things could have changed by now," said Cde Pardon Mangena, the ZFTU Bulawayo provincial secretary.
"While the retail and construction industries are operating, there is a need for concerted efforts in reviving the engineering and clothing industries as these are the sectors that absorb a huge workforce.
"As workers we expect more capital injection for Bulawayo companies this year in order to save jobs and create employment. We demand tangible action that will produce fruits.
"The responsible ministries in the Government should be sincere about this issue. Unless we do that there would not be any change and the future for workers is bleak."
ZCTU western region officer, Mr Percy Mcijo, concurred saying the engineering and the textile sectors were experiencing severe challenges yet they were key in reviving the city's economy.
"These industries are the hardest hit by operational challenges. I have visited some of them and they have a huge market for their products. Their major problem is ageing infrastructure and machinery," he said.
"The delays in the release of Dimaf are worsening our plight and this shows lack of seriousness on the part of the Government. The delay is creating leakages for abuse of the fund and we are really concerned about that.
"This city used to be the hub of manufacturing countrywide. As such the economy of this country is hinged on the growth of the manufacturing sector in Bulawayo," said Mr Mcijo.
The labour bodies expressed concern over the ballooning unemployment levels in the country, which could not be absorbed by the ailing companies. They applauded the High Court for pledging to deal with labour disputes expeditiously.
They said the Labour Court should be transparent in dealing with such cases so that workers are protected.
Meanwhile, a snap survey by Chronicle yesterday revealed that most companies have not resumed operations after the Christmas and New Year's holiday breaks.
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Bulawayo chairperson Mrs Ntombenhle Moyo said most companies would be open by next week.
"Most companies are still closed and we expect them to open next week. At the moment it is not clear which ones have failed to open. We will do our assessment then," she said.
Last month hundreds of workers went on holiday empty handed after companies failed to pay their full salaries.
Bulawayo has experienced increased job losses in the past years that have been attributed to the closure and relocation of companies to other cities, especially Harare.
Source - Chronicle
