Newspaper workers return to work

Workers from Zimpapers Harare Branch, on strike since last week for bonuses, have returned to work after the intervention of the information and publicity department in the President’s Office and the National Employment Council (NEC) the ‘Daily News’ reported on Tuesday. The workers said they would go back to work while their representatives continued negotiations. On Monday, the workers gathered at Munhumutapa Building, while their representatives held discussions with George Charamba, secretary in the department.

The workers went on strike after their demand for a 100 percent bonus was rejected by the company. The management had earlier offered a 40 percent bonus. This was rejected by the workers.

After further negotiations, the management then offered a 90 percent bonus to be awarded on a sliding scale. The workers rejected it, insisting the 90 percent had to be paid to all workers.

“We are still negotiating while the workers are at work,” said Leonard Mudare, acting chairman for the workers’ committee. “The workers want the 90 percent across the board and not on a sliding scale.”