News / National
'MDC-T's Chamisa betrayed workers'
22 Jul 2015 at 21:32hrs | Views
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) MP for Kuwadzana, Nelson Chamisa, is under fire from labour activists for his role in the Supreme Court judgment delivered last Friday which now allows companies to terminate workers' contracts upon giving three months notice.
Tinashe Chisaira, a former student leader who now works for the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development, accused Chamisa of betraying workers, the same people who were instrumental in his political rise.
The young legislator is now a lawyer at the Advocates Chambers in Harare and alongside fellow advocate Thabani Mpofu represented Zuva Petroleum in their fight against former managers, Don Nyamande and Kingstone Donga, who were challenging the termination of their contracts under the same circumstances.
In the opposite corner was constitutional expert Professor Lovemore Madhuku and Mr Caleb Mucheche who acted for the two managers. Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku and four other judges, sitting as a Supreme Court, unanimously ruled in favour of the company, setting off a labour crisis countrywide.
Already hundreds of jobs have been lost in the last four days with companies emboldened by the Supreme Court ruling sacking employees. Steward Bank for example fired some 50 workers. The CEO told the workers they will get their July salaries plus a combined three months salary as pay for the notice period.
Anger over the Supreme Court ruling is growing and Chamisa is getting heat for his role.
The man who defeated Chamisa to land the post of MDC-T Secretary General at last years congress, Douglas Mwonzora, criticised the ruling.
"The recent ruling by the Supreme Court that worker's contracts can be terminated by a simple notice is a great drawback to the already suffering workers in Zimbabwe," Mwonzora wrote on Tuesday.
"Based on this ruling, a lot of employers are already getting rid of employees without the necessity of paying damages.
"This is inhumane and extremely retrogressive. The government must immediately amend the Labour Act to make it as clear as possible that the termination of employment must only be in terms of the Labour Act.
"We urge our members of Parliament to start the ball rolling on this very important issue. It is submitted however that the Supreme Court reasoning on this issue was wrong.
"Where common law conflicts with statute law then statute law must take precedence. Zimbabweans across the political divide must unite and protect the fundamental rights of the workers," Mwonzora added.
Tinashe Chisaira, a former student leader who now works for the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development, accused Chamisa of betraying workers, the same people who were instrumental in his political rise.
The young legislator is now a lawyer at the Advocates Chambers in Harare and alongside fellow advocate Thabani Mpofu represented Zuva Petroleum in their fight against former managers, Don Nyamande and Kingstone Donga, who were challenging the termination of their contracts under the same circumstances.
In the opposite corner was constitutional expert Professor Lovemore Madhuku and Mr Caleb Mucheche who acted for the two managers. Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku and four other judges, sitting as a Supreme Court, unanimously ruled in favour of the company, setting off a labour crisis countrywide.
Already hundreds of jobs have been lost in the last four days with companies emboldened by the Supreme Court ruling sacking employees. Steward Bank for example fired some 50 workers. The CEO told the workers they will get their July salaries plus a combined three months salary as pay for the notice period.
Anger over the Supreme Court ruling is growing and Chamisa is getting heat for his role.
"The recent ruling by the Supreme Court that worker's contracts can be terminated by a simple notice is a great drawback to the already suffering workers in Zimbabwe," Mwonzora wrote on Tuesday.
"Based on this ruling, a lot of employers are already getting rid of employees without the necessity of paying damages.
"This is inhumane and extremely retrogressive. The government must immediately amend the Labour Act to make it as clear as possible that the termination of employment must only be in terms of the Labour Act.
"We urge our members of Parliament to start the ball rolling on this very important issue. It is submitted however that the Supreme Court reasoning on this issue was wrong.
"Where common law conflicts with statute law then statute law must take precedence. Zimbabweans across the political divide must unite and protect the fundamental rights of the workers," Mwonzora added.
Source - nehanda
