Chitungwiza Municipality workers have raised concern over unpaid salaries dating back to last year, accusing city fathers of prioritising workshops while employees go without pay.
In a letter seen by NewsDay, workers accused the council of splashing cash on workshops while neglecting employee welfare.
“No workers’ representative will attend such a seminar until and unless you settle all salary arrears. How do you expect workers to live when you owe them more than eight months’ salary arrears?
“How do you expect workers to pay their children’s school fees when you owe them? How do you expect them to pay rentals and lodging when you do not pay them in line with the Human Resources Policy and Procedures Manual, which is statutory?
“Where is common sense when you plan a useful yet useless workshop at this crucial time of the year?” the letter reads.
The workers further noted that over the years, there have been no meaningful resolutions, recommendations, agreements or outcomes from such workshops and seminars.
According to reports, acting town clerk Japson Nemuseso ordered some workers’ representatives who refused to attend the workshop to return allowances that had been deposited into their accounts.
Chitungwiza Municipality is holding a Policies Review Workshop in Kadoma, which started yesterday. Reports indicate that the council set aside a budget for the workshop which could have aided on employees salaries.
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Council spokesperson Tafadzwa Kachiko said the local authority was actively addressing the salary issue.
“Workshops attended by council management are not undertaken casually. They are approved through established processes and are aimed at strengthening governance, service delivery and institutional performance, which ultimately benefit both residents and staff.
“Salary payments have already commenced, and employees are currently receiving their dues as part of this process. Management remains fully aware of staff welfare concerns and continues to prioritise the settlement of outstanding obligations within the prevailing financial framework,” Kachiko said.
