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Bianca Mlilo, Business Reporter
BON Journee Restaurant and Steakhouse in Bulawayo’s Central Business District has shut down operations after more than 60 years of service.
Management cited a harsh economic environment for winding down operations and the move has left 16 workers jobless.

Workers who reported for the morning shift last Friday were met with termination letters at the door.

A letter shown to Business Chronicle reads: “This serves to inform you that due to the economic problems currently prevailing in the country, we advise you that the company is closing with immediate effect.

“Accordingly, the company will be communicating further with you on the way forward.”

One of the employees who declined to be named for fear of retribution said workers were shocked to learn that the company was shutting down when they thought it was doing well.

“The morning shift would make up to $800 and the afternoon shift would make more than that. After making all that money the company is in arrears of five to six months in payment of workers’ salaries,” fumed one of the workers.

“We’re owed five to six months’ salary arrears and there were 16 of us working there.”

The worker said the owner of the upmarket eatery, Gary Brown, had not even explained to them what the way forward would be referring all questions to his lawyers.

The workers claimed the lawyers refused to meet them, saying they wanted to speak to the workers’ union representatives.

They said the union leaders said they had not been notified that the restaurant was closing shop as per procedure.

Contacted for comment, Brown said: “At the moment, that’s not true, we’re still deciding (whether to close shop or not). But one thing we’re doing is leasing out.”

The restaurant also runs a sister outlet at Hillside Dams.