News / National
Zimind appeals arbitral award ordering salary arrears by April 2026
1 hr ago |
71 Views
Zimind Publishers (Private) Limited has filed an appeal at the Labour Court challenging an arbitral award that ordered the company to pay outstanding salaries to 46 employees by April 2026.
The appeal, lodged under case number LCH 287/26, seeks to overturn the ruling issued on 18 February 2026 by Arbitrator Mapuranga Gadaga, who directed the media house to clear part of the arrears by 27 February 2026 and the balance by 30 April 2026.
According to the arbitral award, the dispute stemmed from prolonged non‑payment of wages dating back to September 2024. Employees, represented by the Zimbabwe Graphical Workers' Union (ZGWU), argued that Zimind had failed to honour commitments made during National Employment Council (NEC) engagements, including an undertaking to clear arrears between October and December 2025.
The arbitrator found that the workers had suffered "impoverishment" while the employer had been "unjustly enriched", noting that partial payments made by the company did not constitute proper wages. He ruled that salaries for work performed in 2024 could not be deferred to June 2026, as proposed by the employer.
Zimind, however, argues in its appeal that the arbitrator imposed an "unreasonable and commercially impracticable" compliance deadline, given the company's financial position. The publisher told the tribunal it is owed more than US$400 000 by government and is in the process of selling immovable property to raise funds.
The company contends that its proposed payment plan - to clear arrears by 30 June 2026 - was reasonable and supported by evidence, including asset disposal mandates and cash‑flow projections. It argues that the arbitrator failed to balance the interests of both parties and disregarded its bona fide proposal.
Zimind is asking the Labour Court to set aside the award and substitute it with an order allowing payment of arrears by 30 June 2026, or alternatively permitting settlement through the unitisation of company assets by 30 April 2026.
The employees maintain that they have endured hardship for too long and that justice requires timely payment for work already performed.
The matter now awaits determination by the Labour Court.
The appeal, lodged under case number LCH 287/26, seeks to overturn the ruling issued on 18 February 2026 by Arbitrator Mapuranga Gadaga, who directed the media house to clear part of the arrears by 27 February 2026 and the balance by 30 April 2026.
According to the arbitral award, the dispute stemmed from prolonged non‑payment of wages dating back to September 2024. Employees, represented by the Zimbabwe Graphical Workers' Union (ZGWU), argued that Zimind had failed to honour commitments made during National Employment Council (NEC) engagements, including an undertaking to clear arrears between October and December 2025.
The arbitrator found that the workers had suffered "impoverishment" while the employer had been "unjustly enriched", noting that partial payments made by the company did not constitute proper wages. He ruled that salaries for work performed in 2024 could not be deferred to June 2026, as proposed by the employer.
The company contends that its proposed payment plan - to clear arrears by 30 June 2026 - was reasonable and supported by evidence, including asset disposal mandates and cash‑flow projections. It argues that the arbitrator failed to balance the interests of both parties and disregarded its bona fide proposal.
Zimind is asking the Labour Court to set aside the award and substitute it with an order allowing payment of arrears by 30 June 2026, or alternatively permitting settlement through the unitisation of company assets by 30 April 2026.
The employees maintain that they have endured hardship for too long and that justice requires timely payment for work already performed.
The matter now awaits determination by the Labour Court.
Source - Byo24News
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
