Zimpapers Logo

Bata Shoe Company, has moved to increase business with plans to expand its associated business units

Lovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
ABOUT 800 workers at Bata Shoe Company staged a mini-demonstration at its Gweru factory yesterday demanding an overhaul of the management. The placard-wielding workers said the company should among other things review bonuses, housing and transport allowances.

They accused management of trying to divide the workers’ committee.

Dancing and chanting slogans, the workers accused the company’s managing director, Ronjoy Sengupta of using “abusive language” and having a “racial attitude.”

The industrial action started towards 10AM when workers sang songs denouncing management as they tried to move out of the factory premises.

Security officials, who locked the gates, intercepted the workers and forced them to return to their workstations.

Workers committee chairperson, Isaac Wandira confirmed the developments but declined to comment. He said he would only do so after today’s meeting with workers on the way forward.

However, a letter addressed to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare by the workers highlighted the reasons for engaging in an industrial action.

“For the past seven or eight months, there have not been any works council meetings. A works council is a provision of the Labour Relations Act Chapter 28:01, Amendment No 17 Section 15,” read part of the letter that is in Business Chronicle’s possession.

“For reasons better known to himself, (Ronjoy) Sengupta failed or refused to adhere to the laws of the land, thereby denying us as workers committee representing more than 1,000 employees, our constitutional rights.”

The workers’ committee in its letter also accused Sengupta of shifting goalposts regarding increasing their housing and transport allowances from $11 for transport and the same amount on housing allowances.

Sengupta, the employees alleged, has denied to meet them over the issue.

The management also stands accused of dividing workers by demanding to see two workers’ committees, which represent employees separately despite working for the same employer, having the same objectives and the same grievances.

There are two workers’ committees with one representing low grade workers while the other represents middle management employees.

The workers also accused the management of not paying them a Christmas bonus, which was supposed to be paid in January.

Efforts to get comment from Sengupta were futile as he was said to be out of office.