Chiredzi TC ordered to pay $27 000 to dismissed workers

A Chiredzi Labour Officer has ordered Chiredzi Town Council to pay a total of $27 974 to four revenue collectors dismissed last year on allegations of fraud.

Masvingo Mirror reported that the four demanded compensation for underpayment and terminal benefits.

In a ruling passed by Chiredzi Labour Officer Brighton Ndadzungira last Thursday, Chiredzi Town Council was ordered to pay Chamunorwa Dhambuza, Witness Mareye, Edson Tsviku and Kushinga Chawafambira various amounts as underpayment during the period they were employed by council.

The four through their lawyers Muzenda, Chitsama Legal Practitioners approached the Labour Office complaining that they were employed as labourers, refuse attendants or general hands but spent more than two years doing the duties of revenue collectors but they continued to be paid salaries of lower grades.

The four submitted that the equivalent grade of a Revenue Collector is that of a cashier who earns $462 instead of the $250 they were earning as general hands. They also wanted to be given their terminal benefits as prescribed in the Labour Act.

In his ruling Ndadzungira said after considering submissions and evidence from both parties there was no dispute that the four were re-assigned to other responsibilities but without a change in remuneration.

He awarded the four $5088 as underpayment and the figure for the four amounted to $20 352. He also said terminal benefits should be paid to the four as agreed by both parties and Dhambuza should be given $3810,46, Mareye $1667,62, Tsviku $1072 and Chawafambira $1072,14 and the money which amounts to $27 974,36 should be paid through Chiredzi Labour Office by 31 May this year.

The four are part of a group of 15 revenue collectors and security guards who were charged by council over misrepresentation, fraud and theft and were later dismissed by a disciplinary committee.