News / Local
BCC pays all outstanding salaries to workers
11 Apr 2013 at 11:48hrs | Views
BULAWAYO City Council has paid all outstanding salaries to prevent workers from downing tools during this year's edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).
Council was left with egg on its face last year after its employees engaged in a crippling industrial action during the ZITF week. Because of the strike action, garbage went uncollected and broken sewerage and water pipes went unrepaired, much to the disgust of both local and international visitors.
Fears were again growing this year that the same unfortunate situation could prevail after the city fathers failed to clear all outstanding payments. It has however, since emerged that council has cleared its arrears to quell any unrest during ZITF to be opened by Malawi President, Joyce Banda.
Thaba Moyo, the mayor for Bulawayo, confirmed the payments. He said: "Events of last year have come and gone; they are in the past now...The council is looking to 2013 and is ready for the trade fair... all the necessary logistics have been taken care of."
"We have been working tirelessly to prepare for this event and this year the council is not worried about past events as we are going to be showcasing not only the trade fair, but Bulawayo as a city to the rest of the country as well as the world."
Moses Mahlangu, the secretary-general for the Zimbabwe Urban Council Union, said last year's industrial action was an eye-opener for council which helped improve relations and co-operation between council and its employers.
"The industrial action resulted because the Bulawayo City Council was failing to pay its workers. Instead of resolving the issue, the top officials were being arrogant about it. Since that time there has been an incredible effort by the city fathers to pay their arrears with February already paid up. I do not foresee a strike during the ZITF as the workers are receiving their salaries," he said.
The exhibition will run from April 23-27 under the theme; "Building Value and Enhancing Growth".
Council has since re-painted all traffic lights, repaired roads leading to the trade fair grounds and sourced dustbins worth US$6 000 for use during the days of the ZITF, in an effort to spruce up the city's image ahead of the international showcase.
Council was left with egg on its face last year after its employees engaged in a crippling industrial action during the ZITF week. Because of the strike action, garbage went uncollected and broken sewerage and water pipes went unrepaired, much to the disgust of both local and international visitors.
Fears were again growing this year that the same unfortunate situation could prevail after the city fathers failed to clear all outstanding payments. It has however, since emerged that council has cleared its arrears to quell any unrest during ZITF to be opened by Malawi President, Joyce Banda.
Thaba Moyo, the mayor for Bulawayo, confirmed the payments. He said: "Events of last year have come and gone; they are in the past now...The council is looking to 2013 and is ready for the trade fair... all the necessary logistics have been taken care of."
"We have been working tirelessly to prepare for this event and this year the council is not worried about past events as we are going to be showcasing not only the trade fair, but Bulawayo as a city to the rest of the country as well as the world."
Moses Mahlangu, the secretary-general for the Zimbabwe Urban Council Union, said last year's industrial action was an eye-opener for council which helped improve relations and co-operation between council and its employers.
"The industrial action resulted because the Bulawayo City Council was failing to pay its workers. Instead of resolving the issue, the top officials were being arrogant about it. Since that time there has been an incredible effort by the city fathers to pay their arrears with February already paid up. I do not foresee a strike during the ZITF as the workers are receiving their salaries," he said.
The exhibition will run from April 23-27 under the theme; "Building Value and Enhancing Growth".
Council has since re-painted all traffic lights, repaired roads leading to the trade fair grounds and sourced dustbins worth US$6 000 for use during the days of the ZITF, in an effort to spruce up the city's image ahead of the international showcase.
Source - fingaz
