GMB, workers clash over salaries, union leader acc...

GMB, workers clash over salaries, union leader accused of collusion

Oscar J Jeke

ZIM NOW REPORTER

The Grain Marketing Board is at loggerheads with its employees over unpaid salaries and failed review negotiations, with workers Union leader reportedly being conflicted as he is allegedly employed by one of the managers.

The union leader, Chigogo is alleged to be part of the security personnel of former Zimbabwe Football Association boss, Felton Kamambo, who is also part of management, thereby presenting an infringement of duties and rights as a worker representative in salary and welfare negations.

The GMB communicated delays in processing March salaries for both permanent and contract employees in a circular to its workers on April 2, (Circular number 05/2024), blaming negotiations with the responsible worker association for the delay. It promised to pay the salaries by April 10.

“Management wishes to advise that there will be a delay in payment of salaries for the month of March 2024. This is due to on-going engagements, resultantly, processing of salaries has been affected. Subsequently, the pay dates of 22 March, 2024 for permanent employees and 25 March, 2024 for contract employees have not been met.

“In view of the above, we anticipate that by Wednesday 10 April, 2024, salaries would have been processed,” said human resources manager, N. Makoni.

The GMB is alleged to have lied to its employees, as well as maize farmers and transporters who are yet to receive full payments.

A close source at GMB told Zim Now that Chigogo communicated that salaries had been increased by US$20 with employees still in limbo as to the increment on the ZiG component. The source also revealed that salary payments have not been met, despite the board buying the group CEO a US$180 000 vehicle and splashing an additional US$14 000, for lamination of the vehicle.

Chigogo is reported to have sent feedback to the workers notifying them that the USD component had been increased to 320 for all workers with ZiG amounts being paid according to grade.

“Cdes, USD has been increased to 320 and there’s an adjustment on ZiG bt ichiri kuwekwa. Disc rinoenda tmr for permanent, Thursday for contracts. We are not so sure kuti ZiG rinoenda ne USD,” Chigogo is said to have messaged.

The workers also raised serious allegations, “They bought the CEO a car amounting to US$180 000 and had lamination which costs USD14 000, and now GMB cannot pay farmers, suppliers, transporters and contract workers they only value permanent workers,” the source asserted.

“Union Leader Chigogo is part of Kamambo’s security, the former Zifa boss, so he benefits from management, abusing his job,” the source added.

GMB CEO, Dr Badarai had earlier this month confirmed payment of remaining balances to farmers for all summer crops (maize and traditional grain) noting that those who were yet to see their balances were to report to their respective depots.

“The Grain Marketing Board wishes to advise our esteemed farmers and stakeholders that payments for summer crops (Maize and Traditional Grains) were fully paid.

“GMB urges farmers whose payments have not reflected in their banks to approach any nearest Depot and have their query resolved within seven days,” GMB CEO, Dr Badarai said.