Part of the goup of the former Allied Timbers workers who camped at the company premises
Nashe Mahachi
MUTARE – Former Allied Timbers contract workers who camped at the company’s Nyakamete Industrial Area premises for almost three weeks demanding outstanding wages they are owed spent last Friday night in police cells after mine management decided to take drastic action against them.
They were later transported back to their respective bases awaiting payment of the money they are owed.
A total of 100 former workers from Chimanimani, Gwindingwi, Erin and Staplefod were camped at number 6 Hellens Drive, Nyakamete Industrial Area, Mutare.
They camped and slept in the corridors and in the company boardroom to pressure bosses to expedite payment of the outstanding money.
The former workers are being owed an average of 17 months wages and the group that camped at the premises also included women and children.
One worker from Chimanimani, Pfungwa Jakata attempted to commit suicide at the company’s premises.
Jakata was rushed to Mutare Provincial Hospital where he was treated and discharged.
Allied Timbers Public Relations (PR) executive Veronica Gutu said the company will pay the former workers their dues saying she regretted the attempted suicide case.
“We heard of one worker who wanted to commit suicide. As a company we are going through the financial challenges other company are going through.
“We tried to make payments arrangements but the former workers were not in agreement and we ended up calling the police for them. We will definitely settle everything, we will pay them in installments starting with their current salary,” she said.local
