Bata Shoe Company has reportedly ordered its former staff to return to work after neglecting to compensate them with their severance packages. 
In November 2023, more than 106 employees were terminated without prior notice, with assurances from the company that they would promptly receive their severance pay.
The affected workers are now facing the distressing prospect of resuming work without the pension benefits they had rightfully earned over the past 15 to 20 years. 
<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200024518/bata-recalls-retrenched-workers">NewsDay</a> reported sources as saying the retrenched employees who served for 10 to 15 years are owed US$15 000, with those who served for more than 15 expecting US$20 000. Said the source:
<blockquote>
The affected workers are now facing the distressing prospect of resuming work without the pension benefits they had rightfully earned over the past 15 to 20 years.
The letter did not state much, it just indicated that they should be back at work starting March 11.
Those who are desperate for the job have started working, while some chose to ignore the letter.
These are red flags that the company cannot afford to pay its employees’ pension money.
</blockquote>
One of the retrenched employees, who identified himself as Nyamugama, expressed their frustration. He said:
<blockquote>
We were kicked out without our packages after working for more than 10 years. The retrenchment was done hurriedly.
There was a lack of proper notification regarding the exercise last year. We were heading towards the festive season, and we had nowhere to start from.
</blockquote>
Efforts to get a comment from Bata country manager Simon Mutisya by the publication were fruitless as his phone went unanswered.
Last year, Mutisya mentioned that the shoe company was failing to maintain its 1,200-strong workforce. 
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Bata Shoe Company Recalls Retrenched Workers

Bata Shoe Company retrenched 106 workers on Monday last week as economic activities continue on a downward spiral in Gweru City, one of Zimbabwe’s heavy industrial hubs.
Bata Country Manager Simon Mutisya confirmed the sacking of the employees to <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/bata-offloads-106-workers/">The Mirror</a> in an interview, saying the shoe company is failing to cope with a huge workforce.
The retrenched workers expressed shock and surprise at the move and said that they were caught unawares with no plans for the future.
One of the affected workers, Michael Sibanda, told The Mirror that there were no retrenchment packages for them even though they had worked for the company for 10 years. He said:
<blockquote>
As you might be aware some sections of the factory caught fire and might take time to come back on stream.
As such some of these sections will be restructured and approximately 10 percent of the workforce has been affected.
Approximately 106 workers out of 1 200 have been retrenched.
We are very disappointed by the development. We weren’t notified about the retrenchment and we don’t have plans as we are approaching a festive holiday.
The most worrying thing is that we don’t have packages after we worked for more than ten years.
</blockquote>
Gweru’s industrial area used to house large companies like ZIMASCO, ZimAlloys and the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) but these have significantly scaled down their operations.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bata Shoe Companies Lays Off 106 Workers

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed that “puppets” will never rule Zimbabwe, saying ZANU PF was the sole custodian of the country’s liberation heritage.
While Mnangagwa did not identify the puppets, ZANU PF has in the past characterised opposition political parties, particularly the MDC, and its successor, the CCC, as surrogates of the United States of America and countries in Europe.
Addressing hundreds of ZANU PF supporters at Bata Shoe Company in Gweru, on 23 June, Mnangagwa said, “we will never allow for puppets to rule this country,” adding:
<blockquote>
They sanctioned us because we want to determine our own destiny. Germany, Japan, France and other Western countries are building their own countries.
Can we, therefore, be stupid to have foreigners determine the development of our country?
Yes, they can come with investments, but with no strings attached.
</blockquote>
Mnangagwa also castigated the Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) saying the opposition party’s activists were possessed by evil spirits.
He reiterated his stance that Zimbabwe will remain a republic and a unitary State.
In March this year, Mnangagwa warned MRP activists that their lives will be “shortened”.
He issued the chilling warning while addressing a rally in Chitungwiza ahead of the 26 March by-elections.
MRP is pushing for the separation of Matabeleland provinces, Bulawayo and part of Midlands Province from the rest of the country.
During his visit to the Midlands province, Mnangagwa toured Sino-Zimbabwe Cement, Lesaffre and Bata.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/06/puppets-will-never-rule-zim-ed/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Retrenchments Latest News

Latest Jobs