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Business Reporter
A LABOUR Court judge has ordered a Victoria Falls based security company to pay its 31 workers in excess of $39 000 owed to them in unpaid wages.

Some of the workers are owed as low as $0.74 with the highest being close to $3 000. The workers dragged Gorge Security to the Labour Court seeking an order compelling the employer to clear off the outstanding wages dating back to December 2015.

They lodged the matter with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare in January this year alleging that the owner of the company would harass and assault them whenever they asked about their money.

Led by Mr Lasho Ndlovu, who has since retired, the workers met with the company’s operations manager Mr Menziwa Ndlovu for conciliation in January but could not agree on quantum as the employer claimed to have financial problems hence couldn’t pay monthly because of low money inflows.

A labour officer, Mr Shepherd Zezi Nyoni, referred the matter to the Labour Court.

“The company has neglected, refused or failed to pay the employees despite the fact that it receives hefty payments from clients. The owner is abusive and resorts to violence each time we seek an amicable solution to our plight. He alleges that his accounts were garnished by Zimra hence he can’t pay,” said the workers through Mr Nyoni.

Bulawayo Labour Court Judge, Mrs Mercy Moya-Matshanga, on circuit in Hwange last week, ordered Gorge Security to pay the workers varying monthly instalments starting this month until the outstanding wages were cleared. Some will be paid $80 per month while some will get $181 to be paid through the bank, said Mrs Moya-Matshanga.

“It is hereby ordered that the draft ruling by the labour officer be confirmed that the respondent has to pay the sum of $39 249.68 to employees who are still at work except for Mr Lasho Ndlovu who has retired,” said the judge.
Mr Ndlovu is owed $1 038.45 and will be paid monthly instalments of $181 until the money is cleared.
The respondent was also ordered to pay costs of suit. The company operations manager claimed they have eight clients only hence they are facing financial challenges.