News / National
ZBC collapses, fires more than 200
12 Aug 2015 at 18:11hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) has fired more than 200 workers, journalists included in line with the Supreme Court ruling which has seen more than 20 000 workers being fired by employers in a space of one month.
The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists has announced that there national broadcaster has since joined the band wagon of firing workers willy nilly.
"Unconfirmed reports indicate that more than 200 colleagues at ZBC have received three month notice termination letters," said ZUJ.
Joseph Nhara, the station manager, is understood to have also been fired together with employees from other departments like news production, engineering, security and drivers- bringing the total figure of the affected workers to about 50.
The correspondence also demanded that the sacked workers today surrender identification cards and properties that they used as ZBC employees.
"Please ensure that you surrender the ZBC identity card, information relating to your responsibilities and any other ZBC property in your possession to the undersigned by 12 August 2015."
In a statement, the Chairperson of the ZBC Board of Directors, Father Gibson Munyoro said the move is aimed at ensuring that the public broadcaster becomes a lean and professionally-run parastatal capable of delivering value to the people of Zimbabwe.
"ZBC Board of Directors has so far terminated the contracts of some 282 staff members on three months' notice. The ZBC has decided to streamline non-functional operations in an on-going process to stir the national broadcaster towards viable business focused and results based activities," said Father Munyoro.
He highlighted that redundant structures and activities such as canteen, cleaning among others have been with immediate effect closed and will be replaced by outsourced services.
Father Munyoro also highlighted that the Voice of Zimbabwe station in Gweru that has been idle and not able to broadcast for more than a year, suffered the same fate but work would start in Gweru immediately to put up digitalised studios and a content production house as the digital migration process proceeds.
He said like any other employer, ZBC would consider re-engaging some of the employees at the full implementation of the digital migration should the need arises.
The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists has announced that there national broadcaster has since joined the band wagon of firing workers willy nilly.
"Unconfirmed reports indicate that more than 200 colleagues at ZBC have received three month notice termination letters," said ZUJ.
Joseph Nhara, the station manager, is understood to have also been fired together with employees from other departments like news production, engineering, security and drivers- bringing the total figure of the affected workers to about 50.
The correspondence also demanded that the sacked workers today surrender identification cards and properties that they used as ZBC employees.
"Please ensure that you surrender the ZBC identity card, information relating to your responsibilities and any other ZBC property in your possession to the undersigned by 12 August 2015."
In a statement, the Chairperson of the ZBC Board of Directors, Father Gibson Munyoro said the move is aimed at ensuring that the public broadcaster becomes a lean and professionally-run parastatal capable of delivering value to the people of Zimbabwe.
"ZBC Board of Directors has so far terminated the contracts of some 282 staff members on three months' notice. The ZBC has decided to streamline non-functional operations in an on-going process to stir the national broadcaster towards viable business focused and results based activities," said Father Munyoro.
He highlighted that redundant structures and activities such as canteen, cleaning among others have been with immediate effect closed and will be replaced by outsourced services.
Father Munyoro also highlighted that the Voice of Zimbabwe station in Gweru that has been idle and not able to broadcast for more than a year, suffered the same fate but work would start in Gweru immediately to put up digitalised studios and a content production house as the digital migration process proceeds.
He said like any other employer, ZBC would consider re-engaging some of the employees at the full implementation of the digital migration should the need arises.
Source - Byo24News
