National Biotechnology Authority workers strike ag...

National Biotechnology Authority workers strike against the FD

Philemon Jambaya

National Biotechnical Authority workers started industrial action on Tuesday over a cocktail of grievances that include poor salaries and unpaid overtime allowances.

When Zim Now visited the Authority's Newlands, gates were closed with protest posters stuck prominently. The posters specify that the industrial action is directed at the financial director identified as Mrs Marufu.

Zim Now managed to get a bird's eye view of the premises which revealed workers lounging in the yard.

Sources said that workers are disgruntled that despite claims of financial challenges, the NBA reportedly keeps on recruiting more staff.

Investigations by Zim Now established that Treasury is now responsible for the NBA’s wage bill for 96 employees.

According to close sources who spoke to Zim Now on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation a board member only identified as Moyo dismissed the industrial action.

“Makamborwa hondo here, tiratidzei kuti makapinda musango (Show us your liberation war credentials),” Moyo is alleged to have said.

Efforts to contact the financial director, Mrs Marufu were unsuccessful as her mobile phone remained unreachable over a period of more than three hours.

The NBA is an arm of government responsible for processing permits and registration of Genetically Modified Food (GMOs) that enter through the country’s ports of entry and the industrial action has paralysed its operations.

This development promotes biopiracy and bleeds government coffers.

Biopiracy is a practice of commercially exploiting naturally occurring biochemical or genetic material, especially by obtaining patents that restrict its future use, while failing to pay fair compensation to the community from which it originates.