NEC approves Zimpapers short-time working

The National Employment Council for the Electronics, Communications, Radio, TV Manufacturing and Allied Industry has approved an application by Zimbabwe Newspapers Group (Zimpapers)  to place workers at its television division on short-time working arrangements, despite objections from employee representatives who argued the move was unlawful.

In a determination signed by NEC general secretary Patience Kavuru on April 29, the council authorised Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN)
 to implement a three-weeks-on, one-week-off working schedule for two months, running from May 1 to June 30.

Under the arrangement, affected employees will receive 75 percent of their normal salaries.

According to the NEC ruling, the measure was approved to "alleviate the financial difficulties currently being faced by the company."

The decision followed submissions before the NEC exemptions committee, where the workers' committee opposed the application on legal and operational grounds.

Employee representatives argued that the proposed arrangement violated provisions of Zimbabwe's Labour Act and Statutory Instrument 247 of 2006 governing short-time work and remuneration deductions.

The workers also raised concerns over what they described as an already overstretched workforce, with employees reportedly performing multiple roles in an understaffed newsroom and production environment.

In their submissions, the Workers Council questioned the adequacy and transparency of the company's financial disclosures and challenged the effectiveness of management structures at ZTN.

They further argued that management had failed to provide a convincing turnaround strategy for the broadcaster during the proposed reduced-working-hours period.

Despite the objections, the NEC approved the application after hearing arguments from both management and workers' representatives.

Zimpapers, Zimbabwe's state-controlled media group, owns several media outlets including Star FM, The Herald and The Sunday Mail.

Industry sources say ZTN, which broadcasts on DStv, has struggled to generate sufficient advertising revenue and has largely been subsidised by other divisions within the Zimpapers group.