THE Government has warned employers against imposing unpaid
leave, retrenchments and unfairly terminating workers’ contracts during the
21-day national lockdown meant to stem the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
In addition, the Government has said workers who will
contract Covid-19 while at work will get compensation under the Accident
Preventions Workers Compensation Scheme administered by the National Social
Security Authority (Nssa).
In a statement on Friday, Public Service, Labour and Social
Welfare Minister Professor Paul Mavima said all employers should uphold fair
labour standards as enshrined in Section 65 of the Zimbabwe Constitution and as
provided in Section 2A of the Labour Act (Chapter28:01) during the lockdown
period.
“All employers are therefore urged to refrain from imposing
unpaid leave measures, retrenchments and unfair terminations on workers during
the lockdown period. Use of unpaid leave during the lockdown period should only
be considered through mutual agreements.
Accordingly, social dialogue structures at enterprise level
and National Employment Councils (NECs) should be utilised for this purpose,”
he said.
However, a number of companies especially players in the
hospitality and tourism industry are alleged to have terminated and imposed
unpaid leave days to their employees. In a statement, the country’s national
airline, Air Zimbabwe said due to lack of revenue stream as a result of its
inactivity it would struggle to honour its salary obligations to all its
employees.
“The airline operations have ground to a halt as most of
the passenger travel destinations are on lockdown with travel restrictions,
implying nil revenue inflows. While other revenue initiatives are being
pursued, staff remuneration remains one of the largest cost drivers within the
airline and without revenue inflows and external interventions, it will be a
challenge to continue funding the salaries,” read the statement.
Air Zimbabwe further stated that it would place most of its
workers on indefinite leave with effect from 23 April.
“Our staff complement shall be reduced and a skeletal team
identified by the heads of departments will be in place to ensure ad hoc
operations, airworthiness compliance, safety, security of aircraft and
associated equipment within the airline. Therefore, some of us will be placed
on indefinite unpaid leave effective 23 April 2020 until operations normalise.
However, April 2020 salaries will be paid to all staff members in full,” said
the airline.
Prof Mavima also noted that Covid-19 was also classified as
a compensable disease under Nssa’s Accident Prevention Workers’ Compensation
Scheme.
“Accordingly, Covid-19 is a compensable disease for
healthcare workers and others who may contract the disease at the workplace.
Nssa has also developed guidelines for compensation of work related Covid-19
infections. Similar arrangements are provided for in the compensation for
work-related diseases and injuries for workers in the civil service,” he said.
Prof Mavima further indicated that: “A considerable
resource envelope has been set aside as part of social protection measures to
assist vulnerable members of the society during the lockdown period and is
being rolled out.”
The rapid spread of the Covid-19 pandemic has serious
implications for employers, workers and workspaces where there is frequent
human contact Prof Mavima said.
He said whatever mitigatory measures the Government takes
to curb the spread of the disease, it should be accompanied by strategic
decisions and actions that maintain the long-term stability of businesses while
cushioning employees from the pandemic’s adverse effects on livelihoods.
The ministry has also proposed workplace guidelines to give
proper guidance to workers and employers regarding Covid-19 issues. Sunday News
0 comments:
Post a Comment